What happened
On February 2, 2013, a Rockwell International Commander 114, registration N114U, was performing a ferry flight from the United States to Brazil. After entering Brazilian airspace via Boa Vista on February 1, the aircraft departed Boa Vista for Flores, Amazonas (SWFN), operated by International Aircraft Services LLC.
During the landing phase at Flores Aerodrome on runway 11, the aircraft drifted to the right of the runway centerline. The aircraft exited the paved surface and traveled approximately 7 and 0 meters from the right side of the runway, where the right wing collided with nearby vegetation. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions and the aircraft's handling during the landing. While standard weather reports indicated relatively calm conditions, a special meteorological observation (SPECI) issued for a nearby station (SBEG) at 19:27 UTC—only 3 nautical miles from the landing site—revealed deteriorating weather. This report indicated visibility of 2,000 meters, thunderstorms with moderate rain, and winds of 17 knots with gusts reaching 27 knots.
Investigators compared these wind conditions against the manufacturer's operating limitations. The investigation established that the pilot was qualified and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits at the time of the occurrence.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of directional control during the landing roll.
- Strong crosswind components exceeded the manufacturer's established limits for the aircraft.
- Adverse meteorological conditions, specifically high wind gusts and thunderstorms, contributed to the excursion.