What happened
On September 17, 2016, a Cessna C-525A, registration PR-JVF, was performing a visual flight operations transport mission from Brumado to Barra Grande (SIRI), Bahia. The flight carried a pilot and four passengers.
During the approach to runway 11, the pilot attempted a short landing to ensure the aircraft touched down within the first few meters of the runway. However, the main landing gear made contact with the ground approximately five meters before the runway threshold on irregular, grassy terrain. As the aircraft transitioned from the dirt to the paved surface, the right main tire burst upon impacting the concrete. This caused the aircraft to lose directional control and veer to the right, eventually exiting the runway. The nose gear subsequently ruptured due to the uneven terrain. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including damage to the nose gear, lower fuselage, and right main tire, while all five occupants escaped uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's approach profile and decision-making. The investigation established that while the pilot had calculated a required landing distance of 835 meters—well within the available 1,000 meters of the runway—the pilot's lack of prior experience operating a jet aircraft at this specific aerodrome played a role. The investigators examined the aircraft's performance, maintenance records, and the pilot's flight experience, finding the aircraft to be in a valid state of airworthiness and within weight and balance limits.
Findings
- Imprecise perception: The pilot maintained a lower-than-normal approach slope to facilitate the short landing, which led to an inaccurate perception of the aircraft's actual trajectory.
- Inadequate decision-making: The attempt to execute a short landing was based on an improper evaluation of the approach parameters and touchdown point.
- Low situational awareness: The pilot failed to initiate a go-around despite the developing inadequacy of the approach parameters.
- Lack of experience: The pilot had no previous experience operating a jet-powered aircraft at this specific aerodrome, which may have hindered the ability to manage the different engine response times characteristic of jet engines during the final approach.
- Improper flight controls: The pilot did not apply adequate flight control inputs to correct the established approach slope and prevent the touchdown before the threshold.