What happened
On March 1, 2022, at approximately 22:00 UTC, a Cessna 150M, registration LV-CFT, was conducting a solo instructional flight at Aeroclub Concordia in the Entre Ríos province of Argentina. The aircraft, operated by Aeroclub Concordia, was being piloted by a student with approximately 20 hours of flight experience.
During the landing phase on runway 03, the aircraft performed a 360-degree approach with reduced power. The aircraft overran the end of the runway, prompting the pilot to steer to the right to avoid hitting the airfield's perimeter fencing. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a large ant mound (tacurú), which caused the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to make contact with the ground. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft suffered significant damage to the nose gear and engine due to the sudden stop.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) examined the flight path, the airfield infrastructure, and the training procedures in use at the time. The investigation focused on the aircraft's approach characteristics and the physical conditions of the runway. Investigators noted that the runway at Aeroclub Concordia featured pronounced undulations and a negative slope toward the south. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the 360-degree approach maneuver prescribed in the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) pilot manual, which involves tight turns at low altitudes.
Findings
- The aircraft was performing a destabilized approach characterized by excessive altitude and airspeed.
- The pilot continued the landing attempt instead of executing an appropriate go-around or escape maneuver.
- Visual illusions caused by the undulating runway surface and changes in slope likely hindered the pilot's ability to maintain a proper approach path and landing attitude.
- Trees located along the final approach path for runway 03 may have served as a significant distraction to the student pilot.
- The 360-degree approach maneuver, initiated at only 1,000 feet, involves tight turns that increase the risk of loss of control at low altitudes.
- Current training standards do not establish a recommended minimum safety altitude for aborting a visual approach when it becomes destabilized.
Safety action
The JST issued recommendations to the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) to modify the 360-degree approach procedure, suggesting a higher initiation altitude to provide a greater safety margin for student pilots. Furthermore, the JST recommended that manuals include a specific minimum safety altitude for interrupting landings during unstable approaches. The investigation also noted the need for periodic monitoring of tree growth near the approach path to prevent them from becoming obstacles.