What happened
On December 19, 2024, a Cessna 172H, registration TG-HUY, was conducting a flight training mission at the Aeroclub de Guatemala aerodrome in Iztapa, Escuintla. During the taxi phase toward runway 09, the aircraft deviated from the paved surface and moved toward the runway shoulder. The occupants, consisting of a flight instructor and a student pilot, were uninjured and did not require hospitalization following the event.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, properly maintained, and had recently undergone its 50-hour service. The investigation found that the aircraft had sufficient fuel for a return flight to La Aurora International Airport and that all flight controls, including the braking system and pedals, were functioning normally.
Investigators noted that while the aircraft was in good mechanical condition, the student pilot had not received practical flight instruction in this specific aircraft for five months, having only accumulated 21.5 flight hours in the previous six months. The investigation also identified a lack of visual markings to delineate the runway edges from the irregular terrain of the shoulder.
Findings
- Pilot fatigue resulting from a high density of maneuvers, takeoffs, and landings within a single training session, which led to a gradual decline in concentration and manual dexterity.
- A loss of situational awareness during the taxi phase, resulting in a delayed reaction to the aircraft's deviation.
- Ineffective cockpit communication and a lack of adequate feedback between the instructor and student during critical phases.
- The absence of visual boundary lines or markings to distinguish the runway from the unsafe, irregular terrain of the shoulder.