What happened
On March 12, 2013, a Piper PA-34-220T, registration PP-SSS, was operating a private flight from Salgado Filho International Airport (SBPA) toward Alegrete Novo (SSLT). The flight included one pilot and two passengers. The aircraft landed at an unregistered airstrip located at Fazenda Mato Alto in Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul. Following the landing, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, causing it to veer off the runway and collide with adjacent vegetation. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the left propeller, the left engine, and the left main landing gear. All three occupants escaped the incident without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed several regulatory non-compliances following the occurrence. The landing site at Fazenda Mato Alto was not a registered aerodrome. Furthermore, the operator failed to report the occurrence to the investigating authority (SERIPA V) until specifically requested to do so. The investigation also established that the aircraft was removed from the scene without authorization from the investigators. Additionally, the pilot removed the left propeller and sent it to a maintenance facility for repairs without the required clearance from the aeronautical investigators, violating established aviation regulations.
Findings
- Improper control inputs during the landing phase led to the aircraft exiting the runway.
- The aircraft was within weight and balance limits, and all required airworthiness and pilot certifications were valid.
- The operator failed to adhere to mandatory aeronautical regulations regarding accident reporting and scene preservation.