What happened
On May 31, 2021, at approximately 10:45 UTC, a Neiva EMB-810D, registration PT-VEN, was attempting to depart from an agricultural landing area at Fazenda Guará, located in Morada Nova de Minas, MG. The aircraft was operating a private flight with one pilot and five passengers on board, destined for the Carlos Prates Aerodrome (SBPR).
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft lost control and veered off the left side of the runway. The excursion resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Despite the impact, all six occupants remained unharmed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the legality of the departure location and the pilot's proficiency. The investigation established that while the pilot held valid medical and multi-engine certificates, they had very limited experience with this specific aircraft model, having recorded only approximately 15 hours of instruction and no logged flight hours in multi-engine aircraft since their proficiency check in April 2021.
The investigation also examined the status of the landing site. At the time of the accident, the site was an agricultural landing area and not a registered aerodrome. Under Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulations (RBAC), the use of such areas is restricted to agricultural activities. The investigation found that the site only achieved official aerodrome status (SN2F) in July 2023, more than two years after the occurrence.
According to the pilot, the windshield became fogged during the takeoff roll, which contributed to the loss of control. The investigators noted that the pilot's decision to operate from an unregistered site and the lack of adequate flight planning were critical elements of the event.
Findings
- Use of an unregistered landing site: The operation took place at a location not registered with ANAC, representing a failure to follow established regulatory procedures.
- Inadequate flight planning: The pilot failed to ensure the departure site met the regulatory requirements for the intended type of operation.
- Pilot experience: The pilot possessed limited experience with the aircraft model involved.
- Environmental factors: Fogging of the windshield during the takeoff roll contributed to the loss of control.