What happened
On April 12, 2019, at 09:58 UTC, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration PR-CST, was performing a takeoff from Novo Progresso Aerodrome (SJNP) in Pará, Brazil. The aircraft was operating a private flight carrying a pilot and two passengers, destined for Matupá, Mato Grosso.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft's right main landing gear encountered a 4 cm deep depression in the runway surface. This caused the pilot to lose control, leading the aircraft to veer to the right and exit the runway. As the aircraft crossed the runway boundary, the right wingtip struck tall vegetation, causing the plane to rotate 180 degrees before coming to a stop against a small mound of earth. The impact and subsequent movement over uneven terrain caused the left main landing gear actuator rod to break, resulting in the gear retracting and the actuator piercing the upper surface of the left wing. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but all three occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the runway conditions and the aircraft's mechanical state. The investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified, with valid medical and instrument ratings, and that the aircraft was airworthy, properly loaded, and within weight and balance limits.
Crucially, the investigation found that the runway infrastructure was non-compliant with Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulations (RBAC). While the ROTAER listed the runway width as 28 meters, ongoing construction work had reduced the usable width to only 8 meters. This was significantly below the 18-meter minimum required for a Piper PA-46-350P under RBAC 154. Additionally, the vegetation on the runway shoulders exceeded the 15 cm height limit established by RBAC 153.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the reduced runway width and the presence of a depression in the runway surface.
- The airport infrastructure failed to meet safety standards regarding runway width and vegetation maintenance.
- The pilot's decision-making and flight planning were contributing factors, as the pilot was familiar with the aerodrome but failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the temporary runway conditions.
- The pilot's attitude and judgment regarding the operational risks at the site contributed to the occurrence.