What happened
On July 4, 2017, at approximately 19:20 UTC, a Piper PA-28R-20T, registration PT-WBP, was performing a private flight from São Paulo (SBMT) to Ubatuba (SDUB). The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers.
Upon arrival at Ubatuba, the pilot performed an initial approach but executed a go-around. During the second approach, the aircraft touched down near the end of the second third of the runway. Due to the landing being long and performed with a tailwind, the aircraft failed to stop within the paved surface, overrunning the longitudinal limit of the runway and coming to a rest in a grassy area. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though all three occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation by SERIPA IV examined the pilot's experience, the aircraft's airworthiness, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot had recently completed private pilot training and had accumulated only 93 total flight hours, all in this specific model.
Investigators noted that the pilot was unfamiliar with the Ubatuba Aerodrome, as it was his first operation at this location. While the aircraft was within weight and balance limits and possessed a valid airworthiness certificate, the maintenance logs for the engine, propeller, and airframe were found to be out of date, though this was not considered a contributing factor to the excursion.
Regarding the airfield, investigators found that while the wind was blowing from the sea toward the land—which would have favored a landing on runway 09—the pilot chose runway 27, resulting in a tailwind landing. The lack of a dedicated meteorological station at the aerodrome meant pilots relied on self-observation or coordination with other aircraft.
Findings
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the aerodrome led to an improper runway selection.
- The decision to land on runway 27 resulted in a tailwind landing, which reduced the effectiveness of control inputs and contributed to a long landing.
- The pilot's limited flight experience and errors in the decision-making process contributed to the runway excursion.
- The landing touchdown point was too far down the runway to allow for sufficient stopping distance.