What happened
On July 24, 2019, at approximately 21:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-720D, registration PT-VNH, was performing a private flight from Cruzeiro do Sul, AM, to Ipixuna, AM. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and six passengers.
While attempting to land on an open field chosen as a makeshift runway in Ipixuna, the aircraft collided with a motorcycle traveling through the area. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft. While the pilot and all six passengers escaped without injury, the motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot was properly licensed and held a valid medical certificate, and the aircraft was airworthy with up-to-date maintenance records. Meteorological conditions at the time were favorable for flight.
However, the investigation revealed that the landing site was not a registered or approved aerodrome. The pilot's filed flight plan (FPL) listed Porto Walter, AC, as the destination, rather than Ipixuna, AM. The investigation noted that deviating from the approved flight plan to land at an unregistered location was a practice observed in the region. By choosing an unregistered strip, the pilot failed to ensure the landing area met minimum safety requirements, specifically regarding the presence of foreign objects or people.
Findings
- The use of an unregistered landing site meant the area lacked the necessary safety controls to prevent collisions with ground traffic.
- Pilot error in judgment regarding the risks of operating at an unmapped, non-regulated landing site.