What happened
On February 25, 2018, a Cessna 172M, registration PR-VEC, was conducting a private flight from Piracicaba, SP, toward Fazenda Royal, SP. During the flight, the pilot decided to divert to the Aeroquadra Flight Club (SIVQ) in Quadra, SP, to familiarize himself with the airfield.
The aircraft performed a high approach and touched down on the grass runway approximately 420 meters from the chosen threshold. Due to the touchdown point, only 379 meters of runway remained for deceleration. During the landing roll, the wind shifted to a tailwind. The aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits, crossed a service road, hit a ditch, and ultimately collided with the aerodrome's perimeter fence. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the fence was also damaged, but the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot had overestimated the runway length, believing it to be 1,000 meters when it was actually only 799 meters. The investigation also noted that the perimeter fence was painted green, which likely made it difficult to see against the grass environment. Furthermore, the chosen runway threshold had a downward slope relative to the opposite end, contributing to the long landing.
Investigators found that the pilot applied the brakes only after the fence became visible, indicating improper use of flight controls during the landing phase. The pilot's decision to divert to an unfamiliar airfield without prior operational knowledge was also scrutinized.