What happened
On March 28, 2014, at 19:15 UTC, an Embraer EMB-810C, registration PT-LJB, was performing a taxi flight from Cassilândia, MS, to Santa Rita do Araguaia, GO. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and three passengers.
Upon landing at the Santa Rita do Araguaia Aerodrome (SIFH), the aircraft was in its landing roll at approximately 80 knots when the left main landing gear collided with a termite mound located near the center of the runway. The impact caused one of the left main landing gear attachment points to rupture, leading to a leftward yaw and causing the left wing to make contact with the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear and minor damage to the left wing. All five occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators found that the termite mound, measuring 14cm in height and 1.15m in diameter, was positioned only 4 meters to the left of the runway centerline. The investigation revealed that the area around the obstacle was covered in low vegetation, which obscured the obstacle's dimensions and position from the pilot. The pilot reported noticing an obstacle but was unable to properly interpret its size or position due to the vegetation and the limited time available during the landing roll.
Furthermore, the investigation identified several critical infrastructure failures at the aerodrome. The runway was in poor condition, featuring holes, stones, and shrubs. The boundaries of the runway were poorly defined and obscured by vegetation. Additional safety hazards included broken perimeter fencing that allowed the entry of animals and people, the presence of cattle on the runway, and unnotified high-voltage power lines near the runway thresholds. Notably, the aerodrome operator had failed to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding these unsafe operating conditions.
Findings
- Infrastructure of the aerodrome
- Management supervision