What happened
On July 27, 2017, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-IYB, was performing a private passenger flight from Sorocaba to Nascimento I Aerodrome in Cotia, São Paulo. The flight, which included a pilot and one passenger, proceeded under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in favorable weather conditions. During the landing phase, the aircraft failed to stop within the available runway length, overran the pavement, and subsequently overturned. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but both occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators focused on the braking system after the aircraft exceeded the longitudinal limits of the runway. Technical analysis conducted by the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) confirmed that the hydraulic activation, brake discs, and pads were in good working condition. While skid marks were found on the left tire, the braking marks at the end of the runway indicated that the brakes were functioning normally and were applied at maximum capacity.
Further investigation into the approach parameters revealed that the pilot performed the approach at 85 MPH with flaps set to only 10°. According to the aircraft's manual, a landing at this altitude (3,091 ft) with 40° flaps would require significantly less distance than the approach used. The investigation determined that the combination of high approach speed and inadequate flap configuration resulted in a long landing that left insufficient runway for deceleration.
Findings
- The aircraft was not properly configured for landing at the specific airfield.
- The approach speed was approximately 15 MPH above the recommended performance parameters for the given conditions.
- Inadequate assessment of landing performance and a failure to execute a go-around when landing parameters were lost contributed to the excursion.
- The pilot's decision-making and piloting judgment were identified as contributing factors.