What happened
On July 9, 2015, a Cessna T182T, registration PR-ENM, departed from Jundiaí (SBJD) bound for Tatuí (SDTF) for the purpose of performing touch-and-go training maneuvers. The flight carried a pilot and one passenger.
During the first approach to runway 32, the aircraft made contact with the ground before reaching the runway threshold. This initial impact damaged the nose landing gear. Following this contact, the aircraft climbed briefly but subsequently touched down on the runway surface, striking the propeller and engine cowling with the propeller. The aircraft then slid approximately 70 meters before coming to a complete stop. Both occupants were uninjured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's qualifications, the aircraft's airworthiness, and meteorological conditions. The pilot held a valid medical certificate and was properly rated for single-engine land operations, with significant experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits, although investigators noted that the maintenance logs for the engine, propeller, and airframe were not up to date at the time of the occurrence.
Meteorological data from the region indicated variable wind directions and gusts. The pilot reported experiencing strong gusts during takeoff from Jundiaí and noted a headwind of 22 knots near Itu, SP. The investigation considered whether the aircraft encountered surface windshear or if the landing was the result of an unstabilized approach.
Findings
- The pilot was qualified and experienced for the flight.
- The aircraft was within weight and balance limits.
- Maintenance logs for the engine, propeller, and airframe were not updated.
- The primary cause of the landing before the runway remains undetermined, though the investigation highlighted inadequate flight planning as a contributing factor, alongside undetermined factors involving pilot judgment, control inputs, and adverse meteorological conditions.