What happened
On September 16, 2019, a private flight operating a Flyer RV-10, registration PP-ZOJ, crashed near Guarantã do Norte, Mato Grosso. The aircraft departed from Presidente João Batista Figueiredo Aerodrome (SBSI) in Sinop, destined for the Guarantã aerodrome (SSNM).
During the night, approximately 2 km from the intended landing site, the aircraft collided with the ground and exploded. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities, involving both the pilot and the passenger. Witnesses and video footage captured the aircraft performing low-altitude maneuvers and turns while attempting to locate the runway. Moments before the crash, the pilot reportedly contacted a relative to request that vehicle headlights be used to illuminate the landing area due to difficulties in visual identification.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the destination aerodrome, SSNM, had been deactivated since March 2013 and was no longer listed in the aeronautical charts (ROTAER). Furthermore, the site lacked any form of lighting, making nighttime operations impossible.
The investigation examined the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's certification. While the pilot held a valid medical certificate and single-engine land rating, they lacked the necessary Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rating. Additionally, the PP-ZOJ was only certified for daytime Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations. The investigation also reviewed meteorological reports, which indicated that while weather conditions were above minimums, the flight was being conducted in violation of established safety regulations regarding night VFR operations and the use of deactivated aerodromes.