Loss of Control During Landing at Abandoned Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • JIJOCA DE JERICOACOARA, CE, BR

A Piper PA-34-220T veered off the runway and struck vegetation during landing in Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Brazil, resulting in heavy aircraft damage.

What happened

On December 20, 2007, a Piper PA-34-220T, registration PR-ACR, was performing a flight from Fortaleza to the Jijoca de Jericoacoara aerodrome in Ceará, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers. During the landing roll on runway 32, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, causing it to veer left of the centerline. The aircraft subsequently struck small trees and bushes located approximately 15 meters from the side of the runway. The impact caused the engines to stop abruptly and resulted in heavy damage to both wings, the engines, and the propellers. While the pilot and three passengers were uninjured, one passenger sustained minor injuries.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation focused on the degraded state of the airfield and the pilot's decision-making. The investigation established that the aerodrome was in a state of abandonment, with significant vegetation encroaching on the runway and a degraded runway width, which had narrowed from 20 meters to 14 meters. Furthermore, the aerodrome lacked a windsock or any other equipment to assist in identifying wind direction and intensity. The investigation also examined the organizational structure of the operator, noting that the company owner was also the sole pilot, which lacked effective operational supervision. Meteorological data gathered after the event suggested strong crosswinds, potentially exceeding the aircraft's operational limits for landing.

Findings

  • The pilot demonstrated overconfidence in his operational abilities, having successfully operated at the site previously.
  • The pilot failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the combination of poor runway infrastructure and adverse meteorological conditions.
  • The flight was planned for an aerodrome that was known to lack adequate safety conditions.
  • The lack of wind direction indicators at the aerodrome prevented the pilot from accurately assessing the crosswind component.
  • The company's organizational culture lacked sufficient safety barriers, as the owner-pilot operated without effective management oversight.
  • The degraded infrastructure and encroaching vegetation directly contributed to the severity of the aircraft damage.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to properly evaluate the risks of landing at an abandoned aerodrome with degraded infrastructure and significant crosswinds, compounded by a lack of management oversight within the operating company.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2007-12-20 aircraft accident near JIJOCA DE JERICOACOARA, CE, BR?

A Piper PA-34-220T veered off the runway and struck vegetation during landing in Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Brazil, resulting in heavy aircraft damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2007-12-20 involved a aircraft, registration PRACR, at JIJOCA DE JERICOACOARA, CE, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to properly evaluate the risks of landing at an abandoned aerodrome with degraded infrastructure and significant crosswinds, compounded by a lack of management oversight within the operating company.

Loading the flight search…