What happened
On March 20, 2021, at approximately 2131 UTC, an ASTORE aircraft, registration PU-AVD, departed from Executive Aerodrome (SDSJ) in Cascavel, Brazil, bound for Aeroleve Private Aerodrome (SILQ). The flight was a private operation carrying the pilot in command and one passenger.
Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was performing a right turn, it lost altitude and struck the ground near Espigão Azul. The impact occurred in a nose-down attitude with the wings leveled, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe, engine, and nacelle. The two fatalities included both the pilot and the passenger.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the flight dynamics and the aircraft's performance parameters. Investigators noted that the takeoff profile from SDSJ required crossing a high-voltage power grid located approximately 1,250 meters from the runway threshold. While standard procedure for pilots at this aerodrome involved maintaining a straight takeoff to maximize climb performance, the pilot had a known habit of initiating a turn after takeoff.
The investigation also examined the aircraft's status as an experimental model under a CAVE (Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate). Because it was an amateur-built aircraft, there was no requirement to use certified aeronautical products, and investigators could not verify the traceability of certain components. Additionally, while the pilot held a valid AeroSport rating, his medical certificate had been expired since September 2020. The investigation could not definitively confirm the aircraft's exact weight and balance or the precise fuel quantity at the moment of impact, though estimates suggested the aircraft was near its maximum takeoff weight of 600 kg.
Findings
- The inadequate use of flight controls during the climb, specifically during the execution of a right turn, likely induced a stall at a low altitude.
- There was an inadequate assessment of operational parameters, as the turn increased the minimum speed required to maintain lift.
- The decision-making process regarding the timing of the turn contributed to the loss of control and the inability to recover altitude before ground impact.