What happened
On May 24, 2011, an EMB-810C, registration PT-RGG, was performing a flight from Goiânia, GO, to Posse, GO. During the flight, the pilot decided to deviate from the original flight plan to overfly Fazenda São Brás in the municipality of Correntina, BA. While overflying the farm, the pilot reported experiencing intense structural vibrations, fluctuations in engine RPM, and an increase in temperature in the right engine.
As a precaution, the pilot elected to perform a landing on an unpaved, unauthorized strip located on the farm. During the landing roll, the aircraft lost control and veered off the runway. The aircraft's left wingtip struck low-lying vegetation, causing the nose gear to be torn off and resulting in severe damage to the main landing gear, the right engine, and the propeller. The pilot and two passengers were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the engine and its components, including the fuel pump, control valve, fuel distributor, and magnetos. Technical tests conducted in June 2011 found no abnormalities or discrepancies that could explain the reported loss of power, vibration, or temperature increase.
The investigation also looked into the circumstances surrounding the landing site. The strip was an unregistered, clandestine runway that showed evidence of use by other aircraft. Investigators also analyzed the motivations behind the flight deviation, noting that the flight was intended to survey the farm for a potential buyer and real estate agent on board. Evidence suggested that the pilot's decision to land on the uncertified strip may have been influenced by personal and professional interests, including a desire to establish a business partnership with the aircraft's owner.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to land on an uncertified, clandestine runway was a primary contributing factor.
- The pilot demonstrated a lack of operational discipline by disregarding the established flight plan.
- There was a lack of an organizational safety culture within the operating group, which viewed the aircraft primarily as a means of transportation rather than a complex aviation asset.
- Potential external influences and shared personal interests between the pilot, the passengers, and the owner may have compromised the pilot's critical judgment and risk assessment.
- Low-lying vegetation on the side of the unauthorized strip contributed to the loss of control during the landing roll.