What happened
On March 23, 2019, a CAP-10B aircraft, registration PT-LOK, took off from the Bento Gonçalves Aeroclub (SSBG) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to perform a local aerobatic flight. Shortly after departure, the aircraft entered a steep bank and descended below runway level. While flying at a very low altitude, the aircraft collided with the balcony of a building under construction, approximately 300 meters from the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to strike a second building before crashing into the ground with high energy. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot had significant total flight time but relatively limited experience in the specific aircraft type, with only approximately 33 hours logged in the CAP-10B. The investigation noted that the pilot had much more extensive experience in the EA300/LT, an aircraft with more advanced and agile aerobatic characteristics.
Investigators found that the pilot chose to take off from runway 13, which involved a longer taxi and a slight tailwind component, rather than the more favorable runway 31. This decision was likely intended to position the aircraft so that other pilots at the aeroclub hangars could better observe the maneuvers. The investigation also highlighted that at the time of the accident, there were no specific regulatory requirements from ANAC for a formal aerobatic rating or endorsement.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a maneuver at an extremely low altitude, leading to a loss of control and an unrecoverable attitude.
- The pilot may have overestimated the performance capabilities of the CAP-10B due to his greater familiarity with more agile aerobatic aircraft.
- The pilot's behavioral pattern was described as bold and self-confident, which may have contributed to the decision to perform maneuvers in close proximity to structures.
- The lack of formal regulatory requirements for aerobatic qualification meant there was no standardized way to ensure the pilot possessed the specific proficiency needed to manage the risks of such operations.