What happened
On February 6, 2023, at approximately 10:55 UTC, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-IVY, was conducting a private passenger transport flight from Ourilândia do Norte to the Distrito de Taboca, in the state of Pará, Brazil. The flight covered a distance of approximately 80 nautical miles.
During the landing phase at an unregistered airstrip, the pilot initiated a missed approach (go-around) due to reported runway incursions. Following the maneuver, the aircraft lost control and collided with a residence and a vehicle approximately 5 and 500 meters beyond the opposite end of the runway, respectively. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. While the pilot and two passengers escaped without injury, a person on the ground sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot held a valid medical certificate and single-engine land rating. However, the pilot's digital flight log was outdated, with the last recorded flight occurring in September 2021. Consequently, investigators could not determine if the pilot possessed the necessary experience or specific qualification for this aircraft type.
The aircraft, a 1973 model, had a valid airworthiness certificate. However, investigators found that the maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not updated in accordance with regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the investigation could not verify if the aircraft was operating within its approved weight and balance limits, as the operator did not provide loading information.
Findings
- The pilot was operating at an unregistered airstrip, which deviates from Brazilian civil aviation regulations regarding the use of registered aerodromes.
- The flight planning process was identified as a contributing factor to the accident.
- The pilot's recent flight experience in the specific aircraft type could not be verified due to outdated flight logs.
- Maintenance record-keeping for the airframe and engine components was non-compliant with current standards.