What happened
On November 6, 2022, at approximately 11:30 UTC, a Conquest 180 (registration PU-NNI) was undergoing an engine ground check at the Brigadeiro Araripe Macedo Aerodrome in Luziânia, Goiás. During a taxi run, the nose gear tire burst, causing the wheel hub to make contact with the ground. This impact created a pivot point that led to the aircraft capsizing on the taxiway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a broken wooden propeller, structural damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer, and a broken windshield. The individual operating the aircraft escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators determined that the person operating the aircraft was not a licensed pilot and lacked the necessary qualifications to conduct the operation. The individual identified themselves as a mechanic sent by a potential buyer, but they held no official registration in the Civil Aviation Integrated Information System (SACI).
Furthermore, the investigation revealed significant regulatory non-compliance regarding the aircraft's documentation. The aircraft, which is registered under the Experimental Private (PET) category, was being operated without presenting a valid Airworthiness Verification Certificate (CVA) or other required experimental flight documents. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's ownership transfer had not been legally regularized with ANAC, and the owner was unable to provide necessary maintenance logs or required technical documentation to the commission.
Notably, the investigation was prompted by an anonymous report, as the aircraft was being removed from the accident site immediately following the event, which bypassed the standard procedures for preserving evidence at an accident scene.