What happened
On October 30, 2020, an Antonov AN-2, registration PT-ZNQ, was performing a private local flight at Piquet Aerodrome (SSGP) in Brasília, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers. During the landing rollout, the aircraft experienced a failure in its directional control system, resulting in a loss of control on the ground. The aircraft veered off the left side of the runway, colliding with a ditch and several palm trees. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, though all three occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators discovered that the accident was triggered by the rupture of a connection in a hydraulic hose responsible for transmitting brake pressure to the nose gear. This rupture prevented the pilot from maintaining directional control during the high-speed portion of the landing roll.
Upon inspection, investigators found that the failed hose was not a certified aeronautical product. Furthermore, the nose gear tire was found to be severely deteriorated, exhibiting cracks and a lack of tread depth necessary for proper ground traction.
The investigation also noted significant irregularities regarding the aircraft's documentation and post-accident handling. The aircraft's maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date, making it impossible to verify if required maintenance had been performed. Additionally, the aircraft was removed from the accident site and partially dismantled—including the removal of the propeller, wings, and main landing gear—without authorization from the investigating authority.