What happened
On January 4, 2017, a Cessna A188B, registration PR-RUY, was performing an agricultural landing operation at the Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida landing strip in Montividiu, Goiás. During the landing phase, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and collided with trees located adjacent to the strip. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's structure. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators found that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and agricultural flight ratings, as well as a valid medical certificate. The aircraft also held a valid airworthiness certificate, and meteorological conditions at the time were favorable for flight. The landing strip dimensions were found to be appropriate for the aircraft type, and no infrastructure issues were identified at the site that could have contributed to the loss of control.
However, the investigation faced significant obstacles. The aircraft's wreckage was removed from the accident site by the operator before investigators arrived, without the required authorization from the SIPAER investigation authority. This unauthorized removal of debris prevented investigators from performing a detailed analysis of the wreckage to identify specific mechanical or operational failures.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident remains undetermined due to the lack of access to the wreckage.
- The unauthorized removal of wreckage from the scene hindered the identification of contributing factors.
- The pilot was unavailable for interview during the initial investigation phase.