CENIPA investigation interrupted after aircraft hidden following landing gear failure

Casualties unknown • SANTANA DO ARAGUAIA, PA, BR

An investigation into a Cessna 310R accident in Santana do Araguaia, Brazil, was terminated after the aircraft was found partially dismantled and hidden by its owner.

What happened

On August 1, 2017, a Cessna 310R, registration PT-WYD, landed at the Santana do Araguaia aerodrome in Pará, Brazil. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear retracted, causing the aircraft to veer off the left side of the runway. The aircraft subsequently struck vegetation and uneven terrain, which resulted in the destruction of the landing gear and the separation of the left wing tip tank. The impact caused a fire in the nearby vegetation.

Following the accident, the aircraft was removed from the scene to an unknown location without authorization from the investigation authorities. The incident was not initially reported to CENIPA; instead, information began circulating via social media. Later, local police discovered the aircraft partially dismantled and concealed under a tarp at a private farm.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation faced significant obstacles due to a lack of cooperation and the unauthorized movement of the aircraft. The owner, who had recently acquired the aircraft through a sales contract, admitted to hiding the plane to prevent the registration number from becoming public, fearing it would decrease the aircraft's value. While the owner confirmed being on board and escaping without injury, he did not provide pilot licenses or aircraft documentation and ceased cooperation with investigators.

Investigators also found that the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate had been suspended since April 2017 due to technical irregularities. Furthermore, the landing strip used during the incident had had its registration canceled a year prior to the accident.

Findings

  • The left main landing gear retracted during the landing roll, leading to the runway excursion.
  • The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the engines, propellers, left wing, and tip tank.
  • The aircraft was being operated with a suspended Airworthiness Certificate.
  • The landing strip at Santana do Araguaia was no longer a registered aerodrome.
  • The aircraft was intentionally hidden and partially dismantled by the owner to avoid public exposure of its registration.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by a mechanical failure involving the retraction of the left main landing gear during the landing roll, compounded by the fact that the aircraft was operating with a suspended airworthiness certificate at an unregistered aerodrome.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-08-01 aircraft accident near SANTANA DO ARAGUAIA, PA, BR?

An investigation into a Cessna 310R accident in Santana do Araguaia, Brazil, was terminated after the aircraft was found partially dismantled and hidden by its owner.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-08-01 involved a aircraft, registration PTWYD, at SANTANA DO ARAGUAIA, PA, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by a mechanical failure involving the retraction of the left main landing gear during the landing roll, compounded by the fact that the aircraft was operating with a suspended airworthiness certificate at an unregistered aerodrome.

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