Student Pilot Solo Flight Ends in Nose Gear Collapse at Piura Airport

Casualties unknown • PE

A Cessna 172SP Skyhawk sustained significant damage after a student pilot experienced a series of bounces during a solo landing attempt in Piura, Peru.

What happened

On July 21, 2019, a Cessna 172SP Skyhawk, registration OB-2116, operated by the EDACI flight school, was performing a scheduled solo flight at the Capitán FAP Guillermo Concha Ibérico International Airport in Piura. The flight was part of a student pilot's training program, specifically a solo circuit consisting of takeoff, local traffic, and landing.

During the landing phase on runway 19, the student pilot executed an unstable approach. The aircraft's speed increased to 88 KIAS, significantly exceeding the target approach speed of 70 KIAS. During the flare, the pilot attempted to correct the high descent rate and excessive speed by pushing the controls forward. This maneuver caused the nose gear to make initial contact with the runway, triggering a series of consecutive bounces. Following the final bounce, the aircraft lost lift and struck the runway nose-first. The impact caused the nose gear assembly to break, and the propeller, engine, and cowling sustained substantial damage.

The investigation

The CIAA investigation examined the flight records, maintenance logs, and the pilot's training history. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that all scheduled maintenance inspections were up to date. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were reported as optimal for flight operations.

Investigators analyzed the flight path and determined that the student pilot failed to maintain the required approach speed and did not execute a

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-06-21 aircraft accident near PE?

A Cessna 172SP Skyhawk sustained significant damage after a student pilot experienced a series of bounces during a solo landing attempt in Piura, Peru.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-06-21 involved a aircraft, registration OB-2116, at PE.

Investigation report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission of Peru (CIAA), Ministry of Transport and Communications. Original record: https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/1330007/OB-2116%20%2821JUN19%29.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes de Aviacion (CIAA), Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones, Peru.

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