What happened
On June 27, 2021, at approximately 08:00 local time, a Cessna 152, registration OB-2171, was conducting a flight instruction mission at the Cap. FAP Renán Elías Olivera Airport (SPSO) in Pisco, Peru. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot.
After completing an initial hour of flight and a successful first touch-and-go, the crew prepared for a second touch-and-go maneuver. During the base leg of the traffic pattern, the student pilot increased engine power to maintain altitude, but the engine failed to respond, exhibiting a significant loss of power. The instructor took control of the aircraft and, as the engine power dropped to between 400 and 500 RPM, determined that a landing on the active runway was not possible.
The instructor declared an emergency and executed a forced landing in an unprepared, vegetated area near the airport. Upon impact with the uneven terrain, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position. Both crew members sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the environmental factors present during the flight. Post-accident inspections of OB-2171 revealed no mechanical or structural failures in the engine, fuel system, or ignition components prior to the impact. However, investigators found that the carburetor heat control lever was in the "off" position.
Meteorological analysis indicated that the ambient temperature and dew point were within the range for "serious icing" accumulation in the carburetor induction duct, according to FAA guidelines. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's maintenance records and certifications were up to date.