What happened
On March 27, 2016, a Cessna R182, registration PP-SIX, was conducting a private flight from Birigui, São Paulo, to the Associação Recreativa Fazenda Bonanza aerodrome in Salto de Pirapora, São Paulo. The flight was operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with a pilot and one passenger on board.
Upon approaching the runway, the aircraft performed a long landing. During the landing roll, the aircraft traveled the full length of the asphalt runway before veering off to the left side. The aircraft then traversed approximately 120 meters of unpallyed, grassy terrain before colliding with the aerodrome's perimeter fence. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse and resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the site and the aircraft's operational status. The pilot held a valid private pilot license and medical certificate, and the aircraft possessed a valid airworthiness certificate. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for VFR operations.
Investigators noted that the aircraft was moved from the accident site to an unknown location without authorization from the investigation authority, which hindered the preservation of the scene. Furthermore, the investigation team could not access the aircraft's maintenance logs, including the engine, propeller, and airframe records. Due to a lack of updated flight time records in the national system, the investigators were also unable to verify the pilot's specific experience or qualification regarding this aircraft model.
Witness accounts and physical evidence indicated that the aircraft crossed the threshold at a high approach angle, performing two successive touchdowns near the end of the runway (at approximately 360 and 242 meters from the end). No evidence of mechanical failure in the braking system or primary flight controls was found, and no braking marks were observed on the runway surface.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a long landing resulting in a runway excursion.
- The aircraft veered off the left side of the runway and struck a protective fence.
- The pilot's recent flight experience and specific type qualification could not be verified due to missing flight log documentation.
- The unauthorized movement of the aircraft and the lack of maintenance documentation prevented a more detailed analysis of contributing factors.