What happened
On August 19, 2011, at approximately 19:50 UTC, a Neiva 56-C-1, registration PP-HOR, was conducting a flight instruction mission at the Aeroclube de Santa Catarina in São José, Brazil. Following the completion of a one-hour flight, the student pilot lost control of the aircraft on the ground after landing, causing the aircraft to veer beyond the left lateral limit of the runway.
In an attempt to regain control and keep the aircraft within the runway boundaries, the student pilot applied the brakes abruptly. This sudden deceleration caused the propeller to strike the ground, leading to a sudden engine stoppage. The impact resulted in substantial damage to both the propeller and the engine. The two occupants on board, the instructor and the student, were uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation focused on the sequence of events following the landing and the physical state of the aircraft. Investigators confirmed that all relevant documentation, including the airworthiness certificate and medical certificates for the crew, were valid. The maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were also up to and properly documented. However, the investigation established that the aircraft's landing weight was 665.8 kg, which exceeded the manufacturer's maximum landing weight of 660 kg by 5.8 kg.
Findings
- Improper application of flight controls during the ground phase.
- Lack of experience of the student pilot.
- The aircraft was operated at a landing weight exceeding the manufacturer's specified limit.