What happened
On September 10, 2016, an EMB-500, registration PT-MMP, departed from Belo Horizonte (SBBH) for a private flight to Angra dos Reis (SDAG). The flight, operated by a private operator, carried a pilot and one passenger.
While the flight proceeded normally until the arrival phase, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits during landing on runway 10. Although the touchdown occurred within the 1,000-foot marker, the aircraft traveled the entire length of the runway and exited the pavement. Approximately 70 meters beyond the runway end, the aircraft struck a perimeter fence consisting of concrete posts and stone bases. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the radome, nose landing gear, and its attachment structure, along with minor damage to the electrical and hydraulic systems. The pilot and passenger were unharmed.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's braking system and flight data. The EMB-500 utilizes an electronic "brake-by-wire" system that relies on Weight on Wheels (WOW) sensors to enable braking. The investigation established that the aircraft performed a smooth landing with a low approach angle and a speed exceeding the predicted VREF.
Because the landing was too smooth and the approach angle was shallow, the aircraft maintained enough lift after touchdown to delay the compression of the shock absorbers. This delayed the activation of the WOW sensors by approximately five seconds. During this five-second interval, the aircraft traveled 2 and 50 meters down the runway while the pilot was already applying the brakes, but without the sensors enabling the braking force. No mechanical failures or discrepancies were found in the braking system or sensors.
Findings
- Improper landing technique: The use of a shallow approach angle (below 3 degrees), high approach speed, and a smooth touchdown technique prevented the timely activation of the braking system.
- Flawed decision-making: The pilot failed to execute a go-around despite approaching the runway with an unstable profile and a tailwind component.
- Inadequate flight planning: The landing distance calculations did not sufficiently account for variables such as potential headwinds or runway conditions that could increase the required stopping distance.
- Incomplete assessment: The pilot failed to properly evaluate critical factors, such as the aircraft's speed and approach angle, relative to the specific limitations of the runway at SDAG.
- Infrastructure: An uneven terrain feature (a depression and elevation) at the end of the runway contributed to the structural damage sustained by the landing gear during the excursion.