What happened
On May 5, 2006, at approximately 13:30 UTC, a Robinson R-44 helicopter, registration PT-YGG, was performing a transit flight from Arujá to a cosmetics factory near Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo. The flight was intended to pick up a passenger. Approximately ten minutes after departing from Heliponto Unifly, the aircraft entered a mountainous region known as Serra do Itapeti.
During the flight, the helicopter struck the canopy of large, high-altitude trees. Following the initial impact, the aircraft fell vertically toward the ground and caught fire upon hitting the terrain. The impact and subsequent intense fire completely destroyed the aircraft. The pilot was killed in the accident.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the flight path, which did not align with the established helicopter visual corridors for the São Paulo Terminal Area (TMA-SB).
Meteorological data from the nearby Guarulhos aerodrome indicated restricted horizontal visibility and a low ceiling. Furthermore, witnesses and local police officers on the scene reported dense fog and drizzle specifically covering the mountain peaks at the time of the crash. The investigation also analyzed the wreckage, noting that the rotor blades showed deformations consistent with a high-power impact, which ruled out engine failure as a cause. The investigation concluded that the pilot likely attempted to maintain visual contact with the ground by descending into the terrain as visibility deteriorated.
Findings
- Adverse weather conditions: Heavy fog and drizzle in the mountainous area significantly impaired the pilot's ability to identify obstacles.
- Improper flight planning: The pilot did not adequately prepare for the possibility of encountering navigation difficulties due to deteriorating weather.
- Judgment errors: The pilot proceeded with the flight despite the deteriorating meteorological conditions, likely making the decision to descend to stay below the cloud layer, which led to the collision.
- Flight path deviation: The chosen route did not follow the prescribed visual corridors, and the pilot's flight characteristics suggested an attempt to fly at low altitudes to maintain visual references.