What happened
On May 6, 2023, at approximately 20:30 UTC, an amateur-built Paradise-P1, registration PU-EPF, crashed while attempting to land at an unregistered airstrip near Lago do Robertinho, in Boa Vista, Roraima. The aircraft had departed from an unregistered airfield known as Timbó to transport three individuals. During the final approach to the destination, the aircraft struck the ground, causing substantial damage to the airframe. The impact was followed by a fire that consumed much of the aircraft's structure.
The accident resulted in one fatality and two serious injuries. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, while the third occupant died in the crash.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed significant regulatory violations regarding both the pilot and the aircraft's operation. The pilot was found to be unqualified, lacking both a valid pilot license and a current medical certificate, which had expired in October 2019. Although the pilot claimed to have approximately 200 flight hours, investigators could not verify this experience.
Regarding the aircraft, the investigation noted that the Paradise-P1 was registered under the Experimental Private (PET) category. While the aircraft's maximum capacity is limited to two occupants (one pilot and one passenger), there were three people on board at the time of the accident. This excess occupancy likely placed the aircraft outside of its permitted weight and balance limits. Furthermore, the investigation could not verify the validity of the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate (CVA), as the maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were lost in the post-impact fire.