Incident Overview
On 28 January 2022, a Piper PA28-140, registration OB-2214, operated by CIAC3 Gold Flight S.R.L., was conducting a training flight at Capitán FAP Renán Elías Olivera Airport (Pisco), Peru. The aircraft was occupied by a student pilot in the left front seat, a pilot instructor in the right front seat, and a student observer in the rear seat.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed from Pisco Airport at approximately 10:00 local time. After completing three touch-and-go landings, the crew proceeded to the southwest practice area at 2,500 feet. They then returned to the airport area and requested instructions to perform a 360° precision approach to runway 22.
During the maneuver, the student pilot reduced power to idle and initiated a descending left turn with 20° of bank, maintaining 80 mph. At the 'low point' (1,000 ft on a 040° heading), the report notes that flaps were not lowered as indicated in the training manual. At 700 ft and 45° from the runway, the crew reported 'key point' and received landing clearance from the tower, which advised of a right crosswind at 12 knots.
On final approach, the pilot instructor observed that the aircraft was too low. He initially instructed the student to increase power, but when no immediate reaction occurred, he took control and added power, attempting to complete the landing. During the flare, the aircraft lost lift abruptly, resulting in a hard landing.
Aircraft Damage
The hard landing caused the right main landing gear stud axle to fracture, leading to the separation of the right wheel and associated components. The right wing was punctured by the upward movement of the axle anchor bracket. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 500 meters from the runway threshold on the right side of the runway, after dragging along the surface.
Injuries
All three occupants egressed the aircraft using normal emergency procedures. No injuries were reported.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause of the serious incident was the pilot instructor's loss of situational awareness by not executing a go-around during an unstabilized approach without flaps while practicing a 360° precision maneuver, opting to continue the approach, resulting in a hard landing that fractured the right main landing gear stud axle, causing loss of the right wheel and a runway excursion, with damage to the right wing and landing gear.