What happened
On November 2, 2017, at approximately 19:30 UTC, an Embraer EMB-810C, registration PT-EVH, was performing a scheduled air taxi operation from Canutama Aerodrome (SDKH) to Tapauered, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers.
During the takeoff roll on runway 35, the right main landing gear tire deflated. The pilot noticed the aircraft began drifting toward the right side of the runway despite attempts to correct the deviation using differential braking and rudder input. In response to the loss of directional control, the pilot reduced power to idle. The aircraft subsequently exited the runway to the right, traversing into adjacent vegetation and coming to a stop at a 135-degree angle relative to the runway centerline. While the occupants of the aircraft were uninjured, the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a bent left main landing gear strut and a broken gear door lock.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA VII examined the physical condition of the airfield and the aircraft components. Investigators inspected the runway surface and identified significant infrastructure issues, including numerous potholes, cracks, loose stones, and debris, as well as unauthorized pedestrian traffic in the area.
Upon inspecting the aircraft, investigators discovered a nail embedded in the right main landing gear tire, which was identified as the cause of the deflation. The investigation also noted that the pilot had moved the aircraft from its final resting position to the parking apron before the investigation team arrived, which potentially resulted in the loss of some critical evidence at the scene.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the deflation of the right main landing gear tire caused by a nail.
- Poor airport infrastructure, characterized by a degraded runway surface with holes and debris, acted as a contributing factor.
- The aircraft was within weight and balance limits, and all required certifications and pilot qualifications were valid.