What happened
On September 24, 2009, a Beechcraft G-36, registration PR-HAZ, was performing a passenger transport flight from Ribeirão Preto, SP, to Caculé, BA. During the flight, the pilot decided to divert to the aerodrome in Mortugaba, BA, which was an uncertified gravel strip.
Upon landing on runway 11, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft drifted to the left of the runway centerline and collided with a perimeter fence before coming to a stop on a dirt road adjacent to the strip. While the aircraft sustained severe damage to the fuselage, landing gear, wings, flaps, and propeller, the pilot and the four passengers escaped without injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the operational environment. Investigators found that the pilot, while holding a valid private pilot license, had relatively low flight experience, with only 177 total hours. The investigation noted that the pilot had not consulted the meteorological conditions for the destination and chose to land at an uncertified airfield.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the cockpit dynamics, noting that the aircraft owner, who was also a pilot, was seated in the right seat and attempted to assist the pilot by grabbing the controls during the landing roll. This interference, combined with prevailing winds of 15 to 20 knots, likely contributed to the loss of directional control.
Findings
- Inadequate pilot experience: The pilot lacked sufficient proficiency and was operating without the supervision of a more experienced instructor.
- Improper flight planning: The pilot failed to evaluate the risks of landing at an uncertified aerodrome and did not check local weather conditions.
- Cockpit interference: The attempt by the passenger/owner to assist with the controls created a conflict in aircraft operation and hindered effective correction during the landing roll.
- Flight indiscipline: The decision to land at an uncertified/unregistered aerodrome constituted a violation of standard operating procedures.
- Environmental factors: Wind conditions likely contributed to the aircraft's misalignment with the runway centerline.