What happened
On October 25, 2019, a Cessna 172N, registration OB-2172, was performing a solo flight training mission at the Cap. FAP José Quiñones Gonzáles International Airport in Chiclayo, Peru. The student pilot had previously completed a pre-solo flight with an instructor, successfully performing three touch-and-go maneuvers.
Following the established flight procedures, the student pilot departed from runway 19, executing the standard climb, descent, and traffic pattern maneuvers, including the downwind, base, and final legs. During the landing attempt, the pilot experienced a sudden upward gust of wind that caused the aircraft to bounce. This resulted in a sequence of three contacts with the runway. The final contact involved a heavy impact on the nose landing gear, which absorbed the full weight and kinetic energy of the aircraft. The student pilot managed to maintain control of the aircraft, bringing it to a stop and shutting down the engine. The aircraft came to rest at an angle of approximately 20 degrees relative to the runway.
The investigation
The Peruvian CIAA initiated an investigation following the occurrence. An investigator arrived at the site on October 28, 2019, to conduct field inquiries. The investigation focused on the operational procedures used during the flight and a physical inspection of the aircraft damage. The inspection revealed significant structural damage to the nose landing gear and its tire, as well as minor damage to the firewall, adjacent fairings, and a propeller blade that bent upon contact with the runway. The student pilot sustained minor injuries during the event.