What happened
On February 9, 2019, a Cessna 208 Amphibian, registration PR-RTA, was performing a passenger transport flight from Manaus to a fishing camp on the Xeriuini River in Caracaraí, Roraima. The aircraft, operated by Rico Táxi Aéreo Ltda., was carrying two crew members and eight passengers.
Upon arriving at the river, the crew performed a low pass to assess the water depth. Although they noted the river was shallower than usual due to the dry season, the commander proceeded with the landing. During the landing run on the water, the pilot applied reverse thrust while maintaining a high nose attitude to assist deceleration. During this maneuver, the pilot transitioned the aircraft to the left to avoid sandbars in the center of the river. In the process, the left wingtip struck a tree branch, causing the aircraft to yaw left and veer into the riverside vegetation. The impact caused substantial damage to the propeller, the leading edges of both wings, the left wing root, the landing gear, and the floats.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation established that the crew was properly qualified, with valid medical certificates and flight ratings. The aircraft was airworthy, within weight and balance limits, and all maintenance logs were up to date.
Investigators noted that during the dry season, low river levels expose obstacles that are typically submerged during the rainy season. The investigation found that pilots often lack precise information regarding landing site conditions, frequently relying on visual assessments during overflights or informal reports from other crews. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the company's management failed to ensure that post-accident toxicological testing was conducted within the timeframe required by Brazilian regulation (RBAC 120).
Findings
- The crew's focus on avoiding submerged sandbars led to an inadequate assessment of other landing parameters, specifically the presence of obstacles along the riverbanks.
- Inadequate situational awareness regarding the proximity of shoreline vegetation contributed to the collision.
- The pilot's decision-making and judgment were impacted by the need to navigate around sandbars while managing the aircraft's high nose attitude.
- Organizational processes and familiarity with frequent operations in the region may have reduced the crew's level of attention to specific seasonal risks.
Safety action
CENIPA issued safety recommendations to the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to ensure that Rico Táxi Aéreo Ltda. improves its Safety Risk Management processes and establishes mechanisms to guarantee compliance with mandatory post-accident toxicological testing timelines.