What happened
On October 29, 2021, at approximately 19:25 UTC, an Airttractor AT-502B, registration PR-BEK, was performing a local flight at the Mimoso do Oeste Aerodrome (SSQZ) in Luís Eduardo Magalhães, Bahia. The flight was being conducted for the purpose of testing the aircraft's Global Positioning System (GPS).
During the return to the airfield, the pilot attempted a landing on runway 28. After the nose wheel made contact with the pavement, the aircraft began to yaw to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the directional control by applying maximum left rudder and braking; however, the aircraft failed to maintain the centerline and exited the runway via the right side. Following the excursion, the pilot engaged the reverse thrust to reduce speed, which caused the aircraft to rotate further to the right before coming to a stop. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left landing gear, tail cone, nose wheel, empennage, and the spraying system. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical condition of the aircraft and the pilot's credentials. The pilot held valid commercial licenses and medical certification, and was deemed qualified and experienced for the flight. The aircraft was within weight and balance limits, and all maintenance logs and airworthiness certificates were up to date.
Investigators analyzed the runway markings and tire tracks, which established the point where the deviation began and the trajectory of the excursion. While a ruptured brake hose nipple and hydraulic fluid leakage were found on the left landing gear, there were no signs of hydraulic fluid on the runway pavement itself. This indicated that the brakes were functioning normally at the moment the loss of control began, and the rupture occurred only after the aircraft had already left the paved surface. Microscopic analysis of the broken nipple showed evidence of a fracture due to overload.
Findings
- The loss of control on the ground was likely caused by the inappropriate application of controls during the attempt to correct the landing deviation.