What happened
On June 30, 2014, an Embraer EMB-711C, registration PT-NKG, departed from Dourados, MS, bound for Ijuí, RS, carrying a pilot and three passengers. Upon reaching Ijuí, the pilot found that low cloud ceilings prevented a landing.
Seeking to reach the alternative destination of Carazinho, RS, the pilot proceeded at a low altitude, attempting to maintain visual conditions. During the flight segment between Ijuí and Carazinho, the aircraft struck the treetops. Despite the impact, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft and successfully landed at the Carazinho aerodrome. All four occupants escaped the incident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed that the pilot failed to consult official meteorological reports at the departure point, instead relying on informal telephone updates from family members who suggested weather conditions were favorable. Satellite imagery and METAR data from nearby Passo Fundo confirmed widespread, heavy cloud cover (8/8 overcast) at very low altitudes (100ft to 300ft) across the region.
Data from the aircraft's GPS indicated that the pilot maintained an altitude of approximately 1,500ft near Ijuí, which, given the airport's elevation of 1,197ft, placed the aircraft only about 300ft above the ground. While en route to Carazinho, the pilot increased altitude between 1,800ft and 2,200ft, despite the destination airport being at 1,854ft. Approximately 5.5NM from Carazinho, the aircraft descended to roughly 20m above the ground, leading to the collision with trees.
Additionally, the investigation established that the pilot was flying at night, as the landing occurred at 21:17 UTC, following a sunset at 20:47 UTC. The pilot also held an expired IFR rating at the time of the occurrence.