What happened
On April 9, 2016, a Cessna 206F, registration PR-GPI, operated by Paramazônia Táxi Aéreo Ltda., was performing a cargo and passenger transport flight from Cantá to Normandia, Roraima, with an intended intermediate stop at the Manalaí airstrip. Although the flight plan did not include the stop at Manalaí, the pilot intended to disembark three passengers there.
As the aircraft approached the Manalaí airstrip, the pilot performed a low-altitude pass over runway 27 to assess its condition, followed by a left-hand turning maneuver to align with runway 09. During this turn, the aircraft abruptly lost altitude. The pilot reported that despite applying maximum power, the aircraft could not be recovered. The aircraft experienced an asymmetric stall of the left wing, leading to a lateral roll and impact with the ground approximately 1,300 meters before the runway threshold. The impact caused the fuel tanks to rupture, resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft.
Of the six people on board, the pilot sustained serious injuries, two passengers sustained minor injuries, and three passengers were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that the Manalaí airstrip was officially closed at the time of the occurrence due to the lack of a basic protection zone plan, as noted in NOTAM G0159/2016. The investigation found that the pilot's decision to perform a non-standard traffic pattern—executing a tight turning maneuver at low altitude—significantly increased the workload and risk.
Investigators noted that the aircraft was flying with flaps set to 10 degrees. During the high-G turning maneuver, the aircraft's airspeed likely degraded without the pilot noticing, leading to the asymmetric stall. Additionally, intermittent wind gusts near the mountainous terrain may have further complicated the aircraft's stability during the approach.
Findings
- The pilot's use of unauthorized flight maneuvers and non-standard traffic patterns contributed to the loss of control.
- The pilot's failure to adhere to established flight discipline and judgment regarding the landing at a closed airstrip contributed to the accident.
- The use of an unregistered and unapproved airstrip for the intended operation increased operational risk.
- The aircraft's engine was producing power at the moment of impact.
- The pilot's flight plan did not include the intermediate stop, which could have compromised search and rescue efforts in a remote area.