What happened
On July 1, 2018, at approximately 20:00 UTC, an Aero Bravo Amazon aircraft, registration PU-IAA, was performing a local flight at the Aeródromo Aerovaço in Bom Jesus do Galho, Minas Gerais. The flight was being conducted for the purpose of evaluating the aircraft for a potential purchase. The crew consisted of the pilot and one passenger.
As the aircraft entered the base leg of the landing pattern for runway 29, the pilot maintained a speed of approximately 60 MPH without deploying the flaps. During the turn, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of lift and began a rapid descent. The aircraft struck a fence before impacting the ground in the southeast sector of the aerodrome. The pilot escaped without injury, while the passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight history, the pilot's qualifications, and the aircraft's airworthiness status. The pilot held a valid Light Sport Aircraft license and a valid medical certificate, with 2,100 total flight hours, though only 35 hours in this specific model. The aircraft held a valid Flight Authorization Certificate (CAV).
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's configuration during the approach. While the manufacturer's manual specifies a landing speed between 60 and 70 MPH and allows for flap use at the pilot's discretion, the investigation focused on the aircraft's state during the turn. Environmental conditions at the aerodrome included winds exceeding 10 MPH with gusts and a headwind component. The investigation also noted that the aerodrome lacked aeronautical information regarding wind direction and intensity.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of lift during the base leg of the traffic pattern.
- The pilot's inadequate use of flight controls and pilot judgment regarding the combination of airspeed and flap configuration contributed to the stall.
- The low altitude at the time of the stall left insufficient time for the pilot to execute a recovery maneuver.