Fatal Loss of Control During Aerobatic Maneuvers in Globe GC-1A

Casualties unknown • DOM PEDRITO, RS, BR

A Globe **GC-1A**, registration **PT-AIG**, crashed during an aerobatic maneuver near Dom Pedrito, Brazil, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On February 6, 2019, a Globe GC-1A, registration PT-AIG, took off from Safra Aerodrome in Dom Pedrito, Brazil, for a local flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and an eight-year-old passenger. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, while the pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers, the aircraft lost control and struck the ground in a rural area. The impact was severe enough to overcome the resistance of the seat belts, and both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft suffered substantial structural damage.

The investigation

CENIPA investigators established that the aircraft was certified in the normal category, which explicitly prohibited aerobatic maneuvers, including spins. A visible plate on the aircraft panel correctly displayed this restriction. The investigation found that the engine, a Lycoming O-320-A2B, was functioning normally and was producing power at the time of the accident. However, the aircraft was operating approximately 30kg above its maximum takeoff weight.

Investigators also noted that while the pilot was well-regarded in the local aviation community for his technical knowledge, he had not undergone a formal, systematized training process for aerobatics. His training had been informal, and there were no records of specific qualifications or proficiency checks for such maneuvers. The investigation also considered the pilot's psychological profile, noting that his high level of self-confidence might have led to overconfidence or a failure to strictly observe operational limits.

Findings

  • The pilot performed aerobatic maneuvers in an aircraft not certified for such operations.
  • The aircraft was operating above its maximum allowable takeoff weight.
  • The pilot lacked formal qualification, theoretical knowledge, and flight instruction specifically for aerobatic flight.
  • The pilot's high level of self-confidence may have contributed to a failure to adhere to established operational limits and a lack of risk assessment.
  • The aircraft was operating in the normal category, which prohibited the maneuvers being performed.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the performance of unauthorized aerobatic maneuvers in an aircraft certified only for the normal category, compounded by the aircraft being operated above its maximum takeoff weight and the pilot's lack of formal aerobatic training and proficiency.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-02-06 aircraft accident near DOM PEDRITO, RS, BR?

A Globe **GC-1A**, registration **PT-AIG**, crashed during an aerobatic maneuver near Dom Pedrito, Brazil, resulting in two fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-02-06 involved a aircraft, registration PTAIG, at DOM PEDRITO, RS, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the performance of unauthorized aerobatic maneuvers in an aircraft certified only for the normal category, compounded by the aircraft being operated above its maximum takeoff weight and the pilot's lack of formal aerobatic training and proficiency.

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