What happened
On July 13, 1966, at approximately 12:30 CEST, a Champion 7 FC, registration HB-UAO, was involved in an accident during a flight examination at Locarno Airport. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot who was in the process of completing a checkride for a private pilot license. The flight was being monitored on the ground by an instructor and an examiner.
After successfully completing three initial examination maneuvers—including an engine-out landing, a signal landing, and left-hand spirals—the student proceeded to the fourth flight segment, which required right-hand spirals and a right-hand glide. During the final approach, the pilot initiated the go-around/level-off maneuver at an altitude of only 10 meters. By approximately 5 meters above the ground, the pilot had pulled the aircraft up too sharply. This caused the aircraft to lose lift and drop abruptly, resulting in a heavy impact with the ground. The force of the impact knocked the nose wheel away, causing the aircraft to pitch forward onto its back and ultimately overturn.
The investigation
The investigation examined the airworthiness of the aircraft, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The Champion 7 FC was found to have a valid registration, and there was no evidence of mechanical failure regarding the airframe, engine, or flight controls.
Regarding the pilot, the investigation noted that while the student held a valid learner's permit, their flight experience—totaling 54 hours and 415 landings—suggested significant difficulty in mastering the necessary skills. The investigation also reviewed the weather, noting a steady 5-knot wind from 260 degrees, 5 km visibility with slight mist, and scattered clouds at 6,000 feet.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the aircraft was pulled up too high during the landing approach.
- The student pilot demonstrated a lack of sufficient flying skill and situational judgment.
- The pilot's high number of accumulated training hours indicated persistent difficulty in learning the required maneuvers.
- The pilot was uninjured in the accident, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.