What happened
On April 30, 2014, at approximately 22:15 UTC, a Cessna T210N, registration PR-WCO, was performing a cargo and personnel transport flight from Novo Progresso, Pará, to the Bom Jesus Mining airstrip in Itaituba, Pará. The flight was conducted at night.
As the aircraft approached the landing site, the pilot initiated a go-around. While executing a turn over the opposite end of the runway, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The plane descended into trees and struck the ground, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries at the scene.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational conditions and the legality of the landing site. Investigators established that the landing strip used was neither certified nor registered for aeronautical operations. Furthermore, the strip lacked any official lighting or visual aids for night operations; instead, the runway was illuminated using motorcycle headlights to facilitate the landing attempt.
While the pilot held valid medical and technical certificates, the investigation noted that the pilot was not qualified for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations. Additionally, the aircraft's configuration had been modified for cargo transport, despite the aircraft not being certified for freighter operations. The investigation also noted a lack of operational oversight for the pilot's flights.
Findings
- The landing strip was uncertified and lacked proper nocturnal lighting infrastructure.
- The pilot attempted a night landing using improvised lighting from motorcycle headlights.
- The aircraft was configured for cargo transport despite not being type-certified for such use.
- Loss of control during a go-around maneuver led to the impact with terrain and vegetation.
- The pilot lacked IFR qualification for the operational environment.