What happened
On December 18, 2013, an Aero Boero AB-180, registration PP-GNQ, was performing a touch-and-go training mission at the Lauro Kurtz Airport (SBPF) in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. The flight, operated by Aeroclube de Passo Fundo, carried an instructor and a student pilot.
Following a landing at runway 08, the student pilot lost directional control, causing the aircraft to veer off the right side of the runway. The instructor took control of the aircraft in an attempt to steer it back onto the pavement. When this maneuver failed, the instructor performed a sharp turn (a "cavalo de pau") to avoid further excursion. During this maneuver, the nose wheel struck a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the elevator, fuselage, rudder, and nose gear.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA V focused on the flight controls and the proficiency of the crew. Investigators examined the flight logs and found that while the instructor was highly experienced with 1,358 total flight hours, the student pilot had only 29 total flight hours. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was removed from the scene without prior authorization from the investigating authority and that the occurrence was not initially reported through official channels.
Findings
- The student pilot's inadequate use of flight controls during the landing roll contributed to the loss of directional control.
- The student pilot's lack of experience played a significant role in the excursion.
- The instructor's delayed intervention allowed the aircraft to reach a state where corrective actions were no longer effective to keep the aircraft on the runway.