What happened
On May 14, 2023, a Storm 300 B amateur-built aircraft, registration PU-LRR, crashed into a mountainous region near Timóteo, Minas Gerais. The flight departed from the Aeródromo do Aerovaço (SJWA) in Bom Jesus do Galho, bound for Lagoa da Prata (SNLY) for a private mission. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the aircraft collided with the terrain, resulting in fatal injuries for the pilot and substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that the pilot held a valid sports aircraft certificate and medical certificate, but possessed very limited flight experience, with only 41 hours and 41 minutes of total flight time recorded. Notably, this was the pilot's first flight following the completion of their flight instruction period. The pilot was not instrument-rated.
Analysis of the wreckage site revealed that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate and maintenance logs were not found, making it impossible to verify the aircraft's weight and balance or its current airworthiness status. While the pilot intended to use a portable GPS, the device was missing from the crash site. Meteorological data from a nearby station indicated that while conditions were initially suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the pilot's decision-making was flawed; despite warnings from others not to fly due to deteriorating weather, the pilot proceeded, intending to fly through the clouds for only a few minutes.
Findings
- The pilot lacked the necessary experience and instrument rating to navigate the deteriorating weather conditions.
- The flight was conducted under inadequate flight planning and poor decision-making regarding weather minimums.
- Inadequate flight planning and the pilot's attitude regarding weather risks were primary contributing factors.
- The pilot's lack of experience contributed to the controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).