What happened
On April 13, 2020, a Comp Air 8 aircraft, registration PP-XLD, crashed in a rural area near Campo Verde, Mato Grosso, during a ferry flight. The aircraft departed from Luiz Eduardo Magalhães Aerodrome (SDLZ) bound for Vera Cruz, São Paulo, with a single pilot on board.
Immediately following takeoff, witnesses observed the aircraft adopting an excessively high pitch attitude. Shortly after, the aircraft entered a sharp left bank, lost altitude, and struck a cotton plantation. The impact was high-energy, causing the aircraft to catch fire and be completely destroyed. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and interviewed witnesses to reconstruct the flight path. Analysis of the propeller blades revealed nicks and impact marks, which, combined with witness accounts, confirmed that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact. An aircraft flying nearby reported hearing a sound similar to a scream on the VHF frequency just before the crash, suggesting the pilot was conscious and attempting to manage the situation until the very end.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's regulatory status. While the pilot held valid commercial and instrument ratings, records indicated very limited experience specifically with the Comp Air model. The aircraft was registered under the Experimental Private (PET) category. Because the aircraft had been recently sold and the wreckage was consumed by fire, investigators could not access maintenance records or determine the exact weight and balance of the aircraft at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot was qualified and held valid medical and instrument ratings but possessed low experience in this specific aircraft model.
- The aircraft was operating under an experimental certificate and did not meet the standard airworthiness requirements applied to aircraft of its size and category.
- Meteorological conditions were favorable for flight, with clear skies and light winds.
- The engine was functioning and producing power during the sequence of events leading to the crash.
- The exact cause regarding control inputs or judgment remains undetermined, though the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft type was a significant factor.