What happened
On May 5, 2015, a Cessna 206F (registration PT-KVW) was performing a taxi flight from Pedra Preta to Lago Verde in the state of Roraima, Brazil. During the approach to runway 20 at Lago Verde, the pilot encountered a strong wind gust that disrupted the aircraft's alignment with the runway centerline. The pilot was unable to stabilize the aircraft until just before touchdown, resulting in the aircraft contacting the ground approximately 170 meters beyond the runway threshold.
Realizing the aircraft would not stop within the remaining runway distance, the pilot retracted the flaps and attempted a sharp left turn to avoid the end of the runway. However, the aircraft overran the opposite end of the runway, traveling approximately 10 meters past the threshold of runway 02, where it came to rest in a ditch roughly 4.5 meters deep. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the approach stability and the operational planning regarding runway performance. Investigators noted that the aerodrome lacked a windsock, which prevented the pilot from identifying the most favorable runway for landing; the prevailing wind at the time actually favored the opposite runway.
Furthermore, the investigation analyzed the aircraft's performance against Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation (RBAC) 135. The regulation requires that for non-transport category aircraft, the landing must be capable of a full stop within 60% of the effective runway length. For the 540-meter runway at Lago Verde, this required a stopping distance of 324 meters. However, the Cessna 206 manual indicates a required distance over a 50-foot obstacle of approximately 425 meters, meaning the operation did not meet the safety requirements for this specific aerodrome.
Findings
- The pilot performed an unstabilized approach due to a sudden wind gust.
- The lack of a windsock at the aerodrome contributed to an inadequate runway selection.
- The pilot failed to execute a go-around despite the unstable approach and the increasing risk of an overrun.
- The flight planning failed to account for the fact that the aircraft's landing performance requirements could not be met within 60% of the available runway length.
- The pilot's decision to attempt a sharp turn instead of a go-around contributed to the excursion.
Safety action
CENIPA issued recommendations to the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to oversee the operator in two areas: revising management supervision regarding procedures for executing go-arounds during unstabilized approaches, and ensuring stricter verification of aircraft performance requirements when operating at critical aerodromes.