Loss of Control During Landing Leads to Severe Damage to AB-115

Casualties unknown • CRICIÚMA, SC, BR

An instructional flight ended in a runway excursion at Forquilhinha, Brazil, after an instructor lost control of an Aero Boero AB-115 during a landing demonstration.

What happened

On January 23, 2004, an AB-115 aircraft, registered as PP-GPK, was performing a primary flight training mission at the Regional Dionício Freitas Airport in Forquilhinha, Santa Catarina. The flight was part of a private pilot course conducted by Aeroclube Sul Catarinense. During the flight, the instructor was demonstrating a landing technique on runway 09. Upon touchdown, the instructor lost control of the aircraft, causing it to veer to the right side of the runway. The aircraft subsequently collided with an embankment approximately 50 meters from the runway centerline. The impact resulted in severe damage to the propeller, engine, fuselage, landing gear, wings, and various aircraft systems, including fuel, electrical, and hydraulic systems. Both the instructor and the student remained uninjured.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational and supervisory environment of the flight school. Investigators found that the instructor had been hired without a formal evaluation flight, and the instructor possessed limited experience, with only 198 total flight hours and approximately 54 hours in the AB-115. Furthermore, the student had been away from the flight school for one year, and his training records were not reviewed upon his return. The investigation also noted that the flight school's Aeronautical Accident Prevention Program (PPAA) was not up to date. While the aircraft's maintenance was found to be adequate and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits, the investigation highlighted significant lapses in oversight and training quality.

Findings

  • The instructor failed to execute a go-around after losing the runway centerline, attempting instead to control the aircraft on the ground.
  • Inadequate supervision regarding the hiring of the instructor without a proficiency check and the readmission of the student without verifying training history.
  • A lack of flight experience in the specific aircraft type by both the instructor and the student.
  • Deficiencies in the flight school's safety management, specifically the lack of an updated accident prevention program.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the instructor's loss of control during the landing phase and the subsequent failure to execute an appropriate go-around, compounded by inadequate supervisory oversight and limited flight experience in the aircraft type.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-01-23 aircraft accident near CRICIÚMA, SC, BR?

An instructional flight ended in a runway excursion at Forquilhinha, Brazil, after an instructor lost control of an Aero Boero AB-115 during a landing demonstration.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-01-23 involved a aircraft, registration PPGPK, at CRICIÚMA, SC, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the instructor's loss of control during the landing phase and the subsequent failure to execute an appropriate go-around, compounded by inadequate supervisory oversight and limited flight experience in the aircraft type.

Loading the flight search…