What happened
On September 8, 2020, at approximately 21:00 UTC, a Neiva EMB-711ST, registration PT-RXI, was performing a local flight at the Santa Rosa Aerodrome (SSZR) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The flight was a private operation involving a single pilot.
Following the completion of the flight, the pilot was taxiing the aircraft back toward the hangar area. During this maneuver, the pilot steered the aircraft onto the grass to take a shorter route to the hangars, a practice the pilot had previously performed without incident. However, a new drainage ditch had been excavated in that specific area only a few days prior to the accident. As the aircraft transitioned onto the grass, the left main landing gear entered the trench, causing the aircraft to strike the obstacle. The impact resulted in a twisted spar and tearing of the left wing's leading-edge skin, causing substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of events during the taxi and the environmental changes at the aerodrome. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft was within weight and balance limits, and all maintenance records, including the airworthiness certificate, were up to date. The pilot held valid medical and flight qualifications and possessed significant experience in the aircraft type.
The investigation established that while the pilot was aware of the ditch's existence, they had forgotten about the recent excavation during the taxiing process. The investigation also examined the aerodrome's infrastructure management, noting that the recent maintenance work (the excavation) had altered the operational landscape of the taxiway area.
Findings
- The pilot's established habit of taxiing on the grass to shorten the path led to a reduction in situational awareness.
- The pilot's reliance on previous successful experiences contributed to the failure to perceive the new obstacle.
- The recent excavation of a drainage ditch created a new hazard in the aircraft's usual taxi path.
- Human factors, including lapses in memory and judgment regarding operational procedures, played a role in the occurrence.
- The lack of specific communication or updated safety information regarding the new infrastructure at the aerodrome contributed to the risk.