What happened
On January 9, 2016, an ATR-72-212A, registration PR-PDD, operated by Passaredo Transportes Aéreos, was performing a night visual approach to runway 02 at Maestro Marinho Franco Aerodrome (SBRD) in Rondonópolis, Brazil. The flight, which originated from Brasília, was carrying 4 crewmembers and 54 passengers.
During the approach, the crew maintained a descent rate that caused the aircraft to fly below the ideal 3-degree glide path. Upon realizing the aircraft was too low at approximately 50 feet, the crew initiated a go-around procedure at 20 feet. However, during the transition to the go-around, the aircraft continued to descend, striking a soybean plantation roughly 400 meters before the runway threshold. The aircraft traveled approximately 72 meters on the ground, colliding with two concrete fence posts, before regaining flight. The crew subsequently repositioned the aircraft for a landing on runway 20, which was completed without further incident.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the flight path stability and the execution of the go-around. Investigators determined that while the aircraft was initially high, the pilots utilized a vertical speed of -900ft/min to intercept the path but failed to adjust the descent rate afterward, resulting in an undershoot. The investigation also noted that the commander was performing his first landing at this specific aerodrome since joining the operator. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, radome, landing gear, and doors.
Findings
- The aircraft maintained a flight path below the ideal 3-degree ramp during the final approach.
- The crew initiated a go-around procedure at an altitude of 20 feet, but the aircraft continued to descend into the terrain.
- The aircraft struck a soybean plantation and two concrete posts during the undershoot.
- All 58 occupants (4 crew and 54 passengers) escaped the accident without injury.