What happened
On August 9, 2007, an EMB-810C operated by Tio Táxi Aéreo Ltda. was performing a routine passenger flight from Flores to Borba, Brazil. During the approach to the Borba Aerodrome (SWBR), the pilot executed a go-around at an altitude of approximately 15 meters. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline and failed to gain sufficient altitude. The aircraft subsequently struck a group of trees before impacting the ground. The impact caused serious injuries to one passenger and minor injuries to the pilot and two other passengers. The aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight history, the pilot's medical condition, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation noted several irregularities during the flight, including significant heading variations and unintelligible radio communications between the pilot and air traffic control. The pilot exhibited slurred speech and physical instability when first contacted by investigators.
While toxicological tests ruled out active intoxication, the pilot reported a loss of memory starting from early that morning, after which he claimed to have consumed chewing gum offered by strangers. Investigators considered the possibility that the pilot may have been involuntarily drugged with a hypnotic substance, which could have caused a psychophysiological disturbance and impaired his ability to perceive and react to flight stimuli.
Findings
- The pilot failed to apply the necessary pitch commands during the go-around, preventing the aircraft from clearing obstacles.
- Involuntary loss of consciousness or impaired perception may have occurred due to the potential ingestion of a hypnotic substance.
- The pilot failed to perform a safety briefing for passengers prior to departure.
- The aircraft engines and systems were found to be operating normally at the time of the accident.