What happened
On January 11, 2021, a Cessna 172N, registration TG-EVS, was conducting a solo training flight from La Aurora International Airport to the San José Aerodrome in Escuintla, Guatemala. The flight was part of a student pilot's training syllabus, intended to include a series of landings at San José before returning to the departure airport.
During the landing phase at San José, the aircraft struck the runway with excessive force. The impact was centered on the nose gear rather than the main landing gear, causing significant structural damage to the forward landing gear assembly. The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and escaped the incident without any injuries.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's training status, and the physical wreckage. Investigators found that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date, with all 50 and 100-hour inspections properly documented. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, characterized by visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with unlimited visibility and calm winds.
Physical inspection of the wreckage revealed that the internal cylinder of the nose shock absorber had been displaced from its position due to the violence of the impact. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft was within its weight and balance limits, as no passengers or additional cargo were being transported during the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an improper landing technique, specifically a heavy nose-wheel touchdown that deviated from the standard procedures outlined in the aircraft's flight manual.
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness regarding depth perception, failing to properly judge the aircraft's altitude and descent rate relative to the runway surface.
- The aircraft's nose gear sustained structural damage due to the high-impact force of the landing.