What happened
On October 25, 2019, a student pilot was performing his first solo flight in a Cessna C-172N Skyhawk, registration OB-2172, at the Capitán FAP José A. Quiñones Gonzáles International Airport (SPHI) in Chiclayo, Peru. After departing from runway 19 and completing the standard traffic pattern, the pilot attempted to land.
During the landing phase, the aircraft experienced an unstabilized approach. Upon initial contact with the runway, the aircraft bounced three times. During the third bounce, the nose gear struck the pavement with significant force. The impact caused the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway, eventually coming to a stop at a 20-degree angle to the runway centerline. The pilot successfully executed engine shutdown procedures, and airport emergency services responded immediately. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the sequence of the landing and the pilot's handling of the aircraft. Investigators examined the aircraft's condition, noting severe damage to the nose gear tire, wheel rim, and nose gear fork, as well as damage to the engine firewall and a propeller blade.
The investigation also reviewed the student pilot's training records and recent flight history. It was noted that while the pilot had recently passed evaluations, he had experienced a ten-month gap in flight instruction. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the pilot's psychological history, noting previous mentions of anxiety, and evaluated the instructor's oversight during the transition to solo flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an unstabilized approach and the pilot's inability to recover the aircraft following the initial bounces during touchdown.
- The pilot failed to execute a go-around maneuver to mitigate the risks posed by the bouncing.
- The student pilot's lack of experience in managing critical landing phases and sudden aircraft movements contributed to the severity of the impact.
- Contributing factors included the pilot's lack of recent flight practice and potential psychological pressure associated with performing his first solo flight.
- The aircraft sustained significant structural damage, including a fractured wheel rim and a damaged propeller.