What happened
On December 11, 2015, a Piper PA 28-181, registration HK5082G, was conducting a local training flight at El Edén International Airport in Armenia, Quindío. The flight was a significant milestone for the student pilot, marking their first solo operation as part of the training curriculum provided by Academia Antioqueña de Aviación.
Following two successful touch-and-go landings, the pilot was cleared to perform a full landing on runway 20. Upon touchdown, the aircraft began to veer toward the right side of the runway. The aircraft exited the runway laterally, crossed the safety area, and struck a perimeter wall. The impact caused the right wing to detach at the root, destroyed the propeller, and caused significant damage to the engine, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The collision also resulted in the collapse of approximately 5 square meters of the airport's perimeter wall.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight sequence using airport surveillance footage, which confirmed the aircraft's path from taxiing to the final impact. Investigators also reviewed the student's training records and instructor evaluations. The investigation noted that the student had previously been referred to psychological services due to anxiety during landings, and that training intervals had been inconsistent, with gaps of up to ten days between sessions.
Findings
- The pilot experienced a loss of directional control on the ground following the landing.
- The student pilot failed to take corrective action to maintain the aircraft on the runway centerline.
- A lack of training continuity contributed to low proficiency in landing execution.
- The student exhibited deficiencies in concentration, reaction time, and stress management, as noted in previous instructor evaluations.
- Inadequate supervision was identified, specifically regarding the monitoring of the student's progress and the failure to ensure training consistency after identifying skill gaps.
Safety action
- The investigation recommended that aviation training centers establish a maximum number of flight hours allowed before a student undergoes a pre-solo check.
- It was recommended that training centers implement a maximum one-month limit for the completion of the pre-solo phase to prevent skill degradation due to long intervals between flights.