What happened
On September 19, 2015, a Piper PA-3 and-220T, registration PT-WSV, was performing a private flight from Luiz Eduardo Magalhães, BA, to Goiânia, GO. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers.
Upon landing at Santa Genoveva Airport (SBGO), the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control during the landing roll. The pilot reported that immediately after touchdown, the left wing sat lower than the right, and the aircraft began drifting to the left. Despite attempts to correct the deviation using the brakes, the aircraft veered off the runway at low speed. During the excursion, the left main landing gear struck a concrete structure and a small five-centimeter elevation, resulting in the gear breaking. The aircraft traveled approximately five meters on the grass before coming to a complete stop. All five occupants escaped the incident without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators arrived at the scene on the day of the occurrence but found that the aircraft had already been moved to the apron. Before the investigation team could arrive, airport personnel had replaced the wheel assembly and moved the aircraft. A torn tire, believed to be from the left main gear, was presented to investigators, but the exact condition of the tire at the time of the accident could not be verified due to this unauthorized handling.
Investigators also noted that the airport's emergency contact list for the investigation authority (SERIPA VI) was outdated, which had hindered the initial communication regarding the incident.
Findings
While the pilot was properly licensed and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight limits, the investigation could not definitively determine the cause of the leftward drift. Two hypotheses were considered:
- A puncture to the left tire occurring during the takeoff from the origin airport, leading to a gradual loss of pressure during the flight.
- A tire burst occurring immediately after landing.
Because the aircraft was moved and components were replaced without authorization, the investigation was unable to confirm or rule out these possibilities. The unauthorized removal of the aircraft and the failure to preserve relevant components were noted as significant obstacles to the investigation.
Safety action
CENIPA issued a recommendation to the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to work with the airport operator in Goiânia to ensure compliance with Brazilian aeronautical regulations, specifically emphasizing the prohibition of moving accident aircraft from the scene without authorization from the investigating authority.