What happened
On March 19, 2022, a Cirrus SR22, registration PR-LFF, was performing a private flight from Fazenda Saco da Tapera (SSOT) in São Romão, Minas Gerais, destined for Belo Horizonte. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft's left wing struck a pedestrian located within the runway limits. The pilot, having reached rotation speed and feeling an impact, determined there was insufficient runway remaining to perform an aborted takeoff. The aircraft continued the takeoff and subsequently returned to SSOT for an emergency landing. While the pilot and three passengers were uninjured, the aircraft sustained light damage, and the pedestrian sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that the pilot was fully qualified with valid medical and instrument ratings, and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits. The investigation focused on the position of the pedestrian, who was a driver belonging to the group of passengers. The individual had left the hangar with a mobile phone to film the takeoff and had approached the runway area.
Investigators analyzed the runway infrastructure, noting that while official records described the runway as dirt, it actually featured a 10-meter wide asphalt strip. Because the SR22 has a wingspan of 12.86 meters, the wingtips extended beyond the asphalt onto the unpaved surface. The investigation also noted that the runway centerline was irregular, causing variations in the width of the paved area.
Findings
- The pedestrian likely believed they were at a safe distance from the aircraft by staying off the asphalt, unaware that the aircraft's wingspan would overhang the paved surface.
- The airport infrastructure acted as a contributing factor, as the runway markings were irregular and the paved width was narrower than the aircraft's wingspan.
- There was a lack of adequate signage or access restrictions to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the operational area.
Safety action
It is recommended that the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) share the lessons from this investigation with the operator of the Fazenda Saco da Tapera aerodrome to ensure runway information is kept updated and to implement signage or access restrictions to prevent personnel from entering operational areas.