What happened
On August 29, 2015, at approximately 17:30 UTC, a Cessna 170B, registration PT-APY, was performing a scenic flight from Capão do Leão to Pelotas, Brazil. The flight, operated privately, carried one pilot and one passenger. During the landing phase on runway 06 at Pelotas Aerodrome (SBPK), the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control. The plane drifted off the left side of the runway and underwent a nose-over (pilonamento), coming to a stop in a flooded area approximately fifteen meters from the runway edge with the nose resting on the spinner.
Both occupants of the aircraft were uninjured, though the aircraft sustained light damage, specifically to the wheel fairing supports, the engine lower cowling, and the spinner.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation established that while the pilot was properly licensed and the aircraft was airworthy with up-to-date maintenance records, the aircraft was operating outside of its weight and balance limits. Specifically, the center of gravity (CG) was calculated at +39.2794 inches, which was forward of the allowable limits for normal category operations.
Investigators also analyzed the meteorological conditions at the time of the incident. Although the weather was generally favorable for flight, there was a left crosswind of 15 knots at 320°, which included a tailwind component. The investigation examined the pilot's proficiency and the aerodynamic characteristics of the conventional gear aircraft, noting that the 170B can be unstable during the approach and landing phases when influenced by crosswinds.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with a center of gravity forward of the permitted limits.
- The pilot's judgment regarding piloting techniques contributed to the incident, as the crosswind correction techniques were not effectively applied.
- The pilot's relatively low flight experience (132 total flight hours) was a contributing factor in managing the 15-knot crosswind component.
- The aircraft's tendency to veer left upon touchdown, exacerbated by the wind and the aircraft's configuration, led to the loss of control on the ground.