What happened
On April 15, 2018, a Cessna 310 Q, registration PT-IXC, operated by FTA - Fly Táxi Aéreo Ltda., attempted to depart from an unregistered area near Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso. The flight was intended to transport two crew members and four passengers to Rondonópolis.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft utilized the entire available length of the strip but failed to achieve the necessary rotation altitude. The aircraft overran the edge of the takeoff area, which terminated at a riverbank, and the landing gear struck the water. The aircraft came to rest approximately 17 and 0 meters beyond the end of the strip. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, while two passengers sustained light injuries and the remaining occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators determined that the crew mistakenly believed they were departing from the Hotel Arara Azul airstrip (SJHZ), a registered facility. In reality, the takeoff occurred at an unregistered and unhomologated site located 7.6 km away from the intended location. While the intended strip measured 750m by 18m, the actual site used was significantly smaller, measuring only 615m by 15m.
Calculations based on the aircraft's manual, considering a weight of 5,250lb, a temperature of 20°C, and a pressure altitude of 400ft, indicated a required takeoff distance of 725m. The available 615m was insufficient for a safe departure. Additionally, investigators noted that the grass surface was heavily saturated due to recent heavy rainfall, which likely degraded takeoff performance. The investigation also found that the crew applied 15° of flaps during the takeoff roll, a procedure not aligned with the manufacturer's manual for that specific phase of operation.
Findings
- Inaccurate flight planning regarding the identification and dimensions of the departure site.
- Insufficient runway length to accommodate the required takeoff distance for the aircraft's weight and environmental conditions.
- Errors in decision-making and operational attitude regarding the use of an unverified takeoff area.
- Inadequate management supervision regarding flight planning and risk management processes.