What happened
On June 11, 2014, an Embraer EMB-810C, registration PT-EZW, was performing a private flight from Araras, SP, to the Arthur Siqueira State Aerodrome in Bragança Paulista, SP. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) in favorable meteorological conditions.
During the landing sequence, the pilot performed an approach using 25° of flaps. The aircraft made a simultaneous touchdown of all three landing gear components on the runway. Following this impact, the nose gear wheel hub fractured, leading to the subsequent loss of the tire. The aircraft continued to travel approximately 500 meters along the runway before coming to a complete stop. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the landing gear, nose section, and propellers. Both the pilot and the passenger were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight experience and adherence to the aircraft's operating manual. It was noted that the pilot had 20 hours of flight time in this specific model. The investigation compared the pilot's landing technique against the manufacturer's procedures, specifically regarding flap settings and touchdown attitude. The aircraft's airworthiness documentation, including engine and propeller logs, were found to be up to date, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits.
Findings
- The pilot performed the approach with 25° of flaps, whereas the aircraft's Operating Manual specifies that for normal landings, flaps should be fully extended to 40°.
- The landing involved a simultaneous touchdown of all three landing gear legs, while the manual instructs that the nose should be kept off the ground as much as possible.
- The excessive force generated by the simultaneous touchdown and improper configuration likely caused the nose gear wheel hub to break.
- The pilot's limited experience in this aircraft type contributed to the error.
- Contributing factors included improper application of controls and errors in pilot judgment.