What happened
On October 16, 2020, at approximately 20:00 UTC, an Embraer EMB-720D, registration PT-RPU, was attempting to depart from an unregistered site in the Muru Community, located in Feijó, Acre. The aircraft was performing a private flight with a pilot and one passenger on board.
During the takeoff roll, approximately 100 meters before the end of the available runway area, the aircraft collided with cattle. The impact caused the aircraft to overshoot the boundaries of the takeoff area, leading to a secondary collision where the tail section struck a tree. The impact with the tree resulted in the separation of the tail from the rest of the fuselage, bringing the aircraft to a halt. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, both occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses for both single-engine and multi-engine land aircraft, as well as a valid medical certificate. Meteorological conditions at the time of the occurrence were favorable for flight. The aircraft's maintenance records showed that the most recent 100-hour inspection had been completed approximately 25 hours prior to the accident, and all airworthiness certificates were valid.
Investigators noted that the takeoff was being conducted from an unregistered location. Under Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation RBAC-91, pilots are required to use registered aerodromes and ensure that any site used is suitable for the intended operation. By choosing to operate from an unregistered area, the pilot assumed the risks associated with a lack of necessary infrastructure, which directly allowed for the presence of animals in a critical phase of flight.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning.
- The presence of fauna (cattle) on the takeoff path.