What happened
On July 20, 2011, at approximately 13:30 UTC, a Cessna 172M, registration I-CCAW, was performing a flight examination for a Private Pilot License (PPL) at Bresso Airport. The flight was being conducted as a training mission for a flight school.
During the flight, a student pilot was simulating an engine failure procedure to practice a forced landing. As the aircraft approached the runway, the examiner observed that the aircraft was in an excessively pitched-up attitude. To prevent a mishap, the examiner took control of the aircraft and initiated a go-around maneuver. During this attempt to recover, the aircraft entered a stall, subsequently impacting the ground and capsizing on the grassy area adjacent to the runway.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the sequence of maneuvers leading to the loss of control. Investigators examined the technical condition of the aircraft, the meteorological conditions at the time of the event, and the flight crew's actions. The investigation confirmed that the weather conditions were suitable for flight and presented no significant challenges. Furthermore, the technical examination of the aircraft ruled out any mechanical or engine failure as a contributing factor to the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the forward section of the fuselage.
- The accident resulted in one minor injury, specifically a mild head trauma to a passenger (an instructor), while the pilot and the examiner remained uninjured.
- The primary cause of the accident was an aerodynamic stall occurring during the go-around maneuver.
- The investigation is currently looking into organizational and operational aspects related to the conduct of training and examination activities.