What happened
On September 22, 2016, at approximately 22:30 UTC, a Beechcraft E55, registration PR-DTA, crashed in a wooded, rural area near Campinápolis, Mato Grosso. The aircraft was operating a passenger flight from Goiânia to Sorriso. Witnesses on the ground reported seeing the aircraft flying at a low altitude, appearing as though it were searching for a place to land. Shortly after being spotted, the aircraft struck a fence and collided with the ground in an abnormal attitude, resulting in the destruction of the airframe. The pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on determining the cause of the loss of control. Technical examinations of the Continental IO-520-CB engines and propellers revealed that both engines were operational and running at the time of the accident. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure or fuel exhaustion.
Investigators explored two primary hypotheses. The first suggested the pilot may have attempted an unplanned night landing at Canarana Municipal Aerodrome, which would have required deviating from the original flight plan. The second hypothesis considered that the pilot might have encountered isolated cumulonimbus clouds, as indicated by significant weather charts for the region. This could have prompted a descent to lower altitudes to maintain visual references, potentially leading to a loss of control.
Findings
- The pilot had limited experience specifically with this aircraft model.
- There was a possibility of encountering cumulon-imbus clouds along the flight route.
- The aircraft was observed at low altitude moments before impact.
- The pilot may have failed to effectively monitor flight and navigational instruments while attempting to avoid adverse weather or search for visual references.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific aircraft type may have contributed to operational difficulties during the encounter with unfavorable conditions.