What happened
On February 12, 2020, a Tecnam P2002-JF, registration I-CTAC, departed from Catania Fontanarossa Airport at approximately 07:41 UTC for a scheduled flight training session. The flight, operated by Aero Club Catania, was intended to practice stall and spin avoidance maneuvers. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot.
Approximately 25 minutes into the flight, the aircraft entered a descent that resulted in a crash in the municipality of Carlentini, Sicily. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire and be destroyed. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries due to the high-impact trauma from the crash.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the flight training syllabus, and the regulatory framework regarding training maneuvers. The investigation reviewed the aircraft's weight and balance documentation, noting discrepancies between the declared fuel and weight on the flight forms versus the actual fuel onboard.
Investigators also analyzed the technical capabilities of the Tecnam P2002-JF. While the aircraft's flight manual prohibits intentional aerobatic maneuvers such as spins, the training syllabus of the flight school specifically included exercises for "recovery from incipient spin" and "stall/spin avoidance." The investigation looked into whether the aircraft's certification (VLA) was appropriate for the maneuvers being performed and evaluated the safety margins provided by the training organization's procedures.
Findings
- The flight was specifically designed to practice stall and spin avoidance maneuvers.
- There were discrepancies in the weight and balance documentation; the declared fuel weight (36 kg) was significantly lower than the actual fuel onboard (72 kg).
- The aircraft was not certified for intentional spins, though it was being used for maneuvers intended to prevent them.
- The aircraft entered an uncontrolled state during the execution of stall-related training maneuvers.
- Toxicology tests for the student pilot showed the presence of Delta-9-THC near the detectable threshold.