Aircraft and Flight Information
On Saturday, April 28, 2018, at approximately 11:35 a.m. local time (17:35 UTC), a Cessna 172S, registration TI-BIL, operated by Aerobell Flight School, was conducting an instructional flight. The aircraft was occupied by a 34-year-old male flight instructor and a 26-year-old male student pilot.
The flight originated from Aeropuerto Internacional Tobías Bolaños (MRPV) with a destination to Aeródromo de Punta Islita (MRIA) in Nandayure, Guanacaste, with the intention of returning to MRPV.
Accident Sequence
According to witness reports, the aircraft made a normal landing on runway 03 at MRIA. Subsequently, it departed from runway 21, which points toward the sea. After takeoff, the aircraft performed a 180-degree turn and attempted to land again on runway 03. During this approach, the pilot initiated a go-around. In the initial climb following the go-around, the aircraft struck a pochote tree and then impacted the terrain, a small hill.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants sustained fatal injuries. The flight instructor died at the accident site, and the student pilot was declared dead while being transported to Hospital de Nicoya.
The aircraft sustained major structural damage. No fire occurred.
Investigation Status
The accident investigation is being conducted by the Costa Rican Civil Aviation Technical Council. Investigators have focused on photographic and video evidence, as well as marks and debris at the scene. The right wing, engine, and propeller were recovered and sent to laboratories for analysis. The analysis of human factors is pending. The investigation remains ongoing; a final report is expected to be published in the future.
At this stage, no probable cause has been determined.