What happened
On December 23, 2003, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, registration PP-MRG, departed from the Helipark helipad in São Paulo for a flight to Parati, Rio de Janeiro. The pilot, who was also the owner of the aircraft, was flying alone under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
During the flight, the pilot made several attempts to verify weather conditions at the destination, including calling a family member and contacting personnel at the Parati aerodrome. Despite the deteriorating weather, the flight continued. An emergency signal from the aircraft's Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was detected in the Parati region at approximately 13:3/0 UTC. The aircraft was eventually located by rescue teams on December 27, 2003, in a mountainous area of the Serra do Mar covered in Atlantic Forest vegetation.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight. Due to the difficult terrain, a detailed analysis of specific engine components was not possible. However, observations of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft struck trees with a loss of lift, as the impact was primarily vertical with no horizontal displacement. The main rotor blade showed no signs of having struck obstacles at high RPM, suggesting the rotor was at low RPM during the impact.
Investigators also noted that the pilot's behavior prior to departure was characterized by anxiety and indecision. The pilot had failed to file a flight plan or notify authorities of the intended destination outside of São Paulo. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot had been manually turning the ELT on and off, likely in an attempt to preserve battery life, which delayed the localization of the wreckage.
Findings
- The pilot made the decision to fly in weather conditions unsuitable for VFR operations.
- High levels of anxiety and a focus on reaching the destination at any cost negatively influenced the pilot's decision-making process.
- The flight planning was deficient, as the pilot relied solely on GPS without utilizing aeronautical charts and failed to submit a flight plan.
- The pilot's lack of frequent flying (averaging once every 10 to 15 days) may have contributed to an inadequate assessment of the deteriorating meteorological conditions.
- The pilot's actions regarding the ELT hindered the search and rescue efforts.