What happened
On February 23, 2019, at approximately 21:50 UTC, an Ícaros Adventure trike, registered as PU-ODJ, departed from Aeródromo Fazenda Irohy in Biritiba-Mirim, São Paulo, for a local recreational flight. The aircraft was operated by a private pilot. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, while performing the final approach for landing, the aircraft lost altitude and collided with the ground. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft and caused serious injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators faced significant challenges in reconstructing the precise sequence of events. Shortly after the accident, the aircraft was removed from the site by third parties without the authorization of the investigation authority, preventing a detailed examination of the wreckage. Furthermore, investigators were unable to obtain direct testimony from the pilot following the accident due to his medical condition and subsequent hospitalization.
The investigation examined the pilot's credentials, noting that while his medical certificate was valid, his specific rating for the trike type had been expired since February 2017. Meteorological data from nearby Guarulhos (SBGR) indicated the presence of thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 27 knots in the area. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the timing of the flight relative to local sunset and the regulatory requirements for recreational flight operations.
Findings
- The pilot was operating with an expired type rating for the aircraft.
- The flight took place after the official sunset time for the region.
- Meteorological conditions were unfavorable, characterized by convective activity and thunderstorms.
- Non-compliance with established aviation regulations served as a contributing factor to the unsafe operation.