What happened
On August 11, 2019, an EMB-710C, registration PT-NKK, departed from an unregistered runway at the Segundo Sol Mining site in Altamira, Pará, for a private cargo and personnel transport flight. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft initiated a sharp 260-degree turn to the right. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost altitude and the right wing collided with a tree, after which the aircraft struck the ground. The impact was high-energy, causing the front section of the cabin to rupture and projecting cargo and personnel 45 meters forward from the impact site. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and flight records, noting that the aircraft's engine was producing power at the time of the collision. The investigation revealed several regulatory discrepancies, including the pilot's medical certificate (CMA) having expired in April 2019 and the aircraft's maintenance logbooks being outdated. Investigators also found that the aircraft's airframe and propeller logbooks contained incorrect model and serial number information.
Regarding the flight profile, investigators analyzed the trajectory and concluded that the pilot likely intended to perform a low-altitude pass over the mining runway, a practice common among the local pilot work group. The investigation also noted reports of alcohol consumption by the crew and passengers at the mine prior to departure. While a toxicological test was performed, the delay in sample collection prevented a definitive conclusion regarding the pilot's blood alcohol level, though the presence of ethyl alcohol was detected in a crew member's blood.
Findings
- Loss of control in flight during a low-altitude maneuvering turn.
- Inadequate decision-making regarding the risks of performing low-altitude passes over the mining area.
- A culture of non-compliance within the local pilot group, characterized by the use of unregistered runways and low-altitude flight procedures.
- Pilot attitude contributing to the accident through the use of expired medical certification and disregard for standard flight regulations.
- Potential impairment due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages prior to the flight, which may have reduced situational awareness.