Flight History
On 25 November 2022 at 17:30 UTC, a Cessna 152, registration LV-BRF, departed from Morón Airport in Buenos Aires province for a general aviation instructional flight to General Rodríguez aerodrome. The aircraft was operated by Flight Center, a Civil Aeronautics Instruction Center (CIAC) type III certified under Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations (RAAC) Part 141. After a 30-minute flight in visual meteorological conditions, the aircraft landed at the destination airport. The instructor then exited the aircraft, and the student pilot took off solo to perform two circuit patterns on runway 17.
At 18:57 UTC, during the first solo landing, the aircraft made abnormal contact with the runway. The subsequent loss of control led to a nose gear collapse and the aircraft nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The engine stopped abruptly. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, exited the aircraft unassisted and sustained minor injuries.
Investigation
The investigation team inspected the accident site and found the aircraft in its final inverted position. Fuel tanks had been drained and covered with foam by firefighters. Interviews were conducted with the student pilot and the instructor.
The student pilot reported that he had completed the Private Pilot license course and was awaiting examination by the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC). He had approximately 95 total flight hours, with about 30 hours in the preceding 90 days, all on the Cessna 152. He had flown the accident aircraft six or seven times previously. The flight was intended as a review of maneuvers, specifically 360-degree approach circuits, to be performed solo. His Aeronautical Medical Certificate was current.
According to the student, during the landing the right main wheel struck a pothole on the runway, causing a series of bounces that resulted in loss of control, nose gear collapse, and capsize. However, a detailed inspection of the runway surface found no potholes or obstacles that could have caused the loss of control.
The instructor held a valid license and medical certificate, and had started working at Flight Center in July 2022. He stated that although he knew the student, this was their first flight together. The student had previously conducted solo flights.