What happened
On January 27, 2011, a CAP-4 aircraft, registration PP-HBK, departed from the Campo Mourão Aerodrome in Paraná, Brazil, for an instructional flight. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot. After approximately 70 minutes of flight time, while attempting to return to the origin aerodrome, the instructor realized the aircraft was disoriented.
The crew spent fifty minutes searching for an alternative landing site. Due to the low level of remaining fuel, the instructor decided to perform a landing on a dirt road. During the landing maneuver, the propeller struck an obstacle on the ground, resulting in significant damage to one of the propeller blades. Both occupants of the aircraft were unharmed.
The investigation
CENIPA examined the flight history, the qualifications of the crew, and the airworthiness of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the instructor held a valid Commercial Pilot license with single-engine land ratings and possessed the necessary experience for the flight. The student pilot was also properly documented and undergoing training for a private pilot license.
Regarding the aircraft, the investigation established that the PP-HBLE was airworthy, with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, and was operating within its weight and balance limits. All maintenance records for the airframe, engine, and propeller were up to date. Meteorological conditions at the time of the occurrence were found to be favorable for flight.