What happened
On July 27, 2019, a Conquest 180, registration PU-SRT, was performing a ferry flight from Campinas (SDAM) to Bragança Paulista (SDVH). The flight was conducted by a private pilot with approximately 76 flight hours. During the takeoff roll at the departure airfield, the pilot noticed the aircraft had a tendency to yaw to the left. Despite observing this abnormal behavior, the pilot proceeded with the flight, intending to inspect the landing gear components after arrival.
Upon arriving at the destination, the aircraft landed on the asphalt runway at the private aerodrome. During the landing roll, the same leftward yawing tendency recurred. The pilot attempted a ground go-around to correct the path, but lost control of the aircraft, causing it to veer off the left side of the runway and come to a stop in a grassy area near the taxiway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, while the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the pilot's credentials. The aircraft had recently undergone maintenance on the main landing gear and wheels at the departure airfield. Because the Conquest 180 was registered under the Experimental Category (PET), investigators noted the lack of specific aeronautical certification standards to precisely verify the design parameters and airworthiness limits of the landing gear components, which limited a deeper technical analysis of the hardware.
Findings
- The pilot's medical certificate and single-engine land ratings were valid.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with high visibility and calm winds.
- The aircraft was within its weight limits.
- Pilot judgment regarding the decision to continue the flight despite observing abnormal handling characteristics during takeoff contributed to the accident.
- The specific cause of the yawing tendency—whether due to recent maintenance or pilot control inputs—remained undetermined.