What happened
On March 4, 2015, at approximately 13:30 UTC, a Cessna 210L, registration PT-JAV, was attempting to depart from the Chaves Municipal Aerodrome in Pará, Brazil. The aircraft, operated by Brabo Taxi Aereo Ltda., was carrying one pilot and four passengers on a flight destined for Belém.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered a flooded section of the runway. This water accumulation caused the aircraft to decelerate significantly. Consequently, the plane failed to reach the necessary rotation speed. As the aircraft continued along the runway, it struck an uneven protrusion in the terrain, causing it to lift without sufficient lift and subsequently crash into a nearby river, approximately 50 meters beyond the end of the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while all four passengers remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation by CENIPA established that the Chaves Municipal Aerodrome had been officially cancelled since August 19, 2013. The investigators noted that the runway surface was irregular and contained flooded areas. Furthermore, the pilot was unable to provide the specific weight of the aircraft at the time of the accident. The investigation also noted the absence of a filed flight plan for the operation.
Findings
- The use of a cancelled aerodrome was identified as a causal link to the accident.
- The presence of water on the runway surface led to the loss of acceleration during the takeoff roll.
- The irregular condition of the runway surface and the impact with a terrain protrusion prevented a safe takeoff.
- The pilot was properly qualified, holding valid medical and technical certificates, and had previous experience operating at this location.