What happened
On January 23, 2020, a Diamond DA40, registration OH-DTF, operated by the flight school PATRIA, was conducting a training flight at Córdoba Airport (LEBA). The flight, consisting of an instructor and a student pilot, was performing takeoff and landing practice on runway 03.
Shortly after rotation, while the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 84 feet, the instructor moved the throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure during takeoff. During the subsequent landing attempt, the aircraft touched down on all three wheels, causing the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to lift off the ground again before settling on its main landing gear. The aircraft eventually veered off the right side of the runway and came to a stop near the threshold of runway 21. Both occupants were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft on their own.
The investigation
Investigators analyzed data from the aircraft's Garmin G1000 GPS unit, which recorded the flight profile. The data showed the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of approximately 380 feet with an indicated airspeed of 71 knots. The investigation also reviewed the flight school's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for simulated engine failures.
Findings
- The instructor performed the simulated engine failure at an altitude of approximately 22 meters, which was below the safety margins required by the operator's procedures.
- The school's established procedures for simulating an engine failure after takeoff require the maneuver to be performed at an altitude above 400 feet, with the aircraft in a clean configuration (no flaps) and maintaining an indicated airspeed of 88 knots.
- The aircraft's maximum speed during the maneuver (71 knots) was below the required 88 knots and only slightly above the maximum stall speed.
- The incorrect execution of the landing maneuver led to the nose gear failure and subsequent propeller damage.
- The investigation noted that the maneuver was improvised, as evidenced by the student pilot making the decision to shut down the engine only after consulting the instructor after the aircraft had stopped.