What happened
On October 31, 2015, an experimental Slick 540, registration PR-ZVX, was participating in an aerial demonstration flight near the Farol da Barra in Salvador, Bahia. The aircraft was flying in formation with two other experimental planes. During the performance, the pilot attempted an isolated aerobatic sequence consisting of a loop followed by a lombaust (lanzavaque) maneuver at a low altitude.
During the execution of the maneuver, the aircraft entered an abnormal attitude, resulting in an unexpected loss of altitude that made recovery impossible. The aircraft struck the sea surface approximately 300 meters from the shore. The impact caused substantial damage to the airframe, engine, and propeller. The aircraft subsequently sank to a depth of eleven meters. Although rescue teams successfully recovered the pilot from the wreckage, he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and found no evidence of mechanical failure or propulsion system malfunctions. The pilot was highly qualified, holding valid commercial and aerobatic licenses, and was a reigning Brazilian advanced aerobatic champion.
Investigators analyzed video footage of the accident to estimate the flight path. While the exact entry angle could not be determined with certainty, the commission estimated it was between 45° and 60°. This suggested the maneuver began at the minimum allowable height for safe recovery. The analysis indicated that the pilot likely delayed the recovery command, causing the aircraft to maintain a spin during the descent and lose energy too close to the water level.
Findings
- Loss of control during low-altitude maneuvers: The aircraft entered an unrecoverable state due to an unexpected loss of altitude during the maneuver.
- Potential fatigue: The pilot had completed 15 consecutive days of intensive agricultural flight operations immediately preceding the airshow, which may have compromised his attention and psychomotor response.
- Human factors: The pilot's high level of motivation to prepare for a world championship may have influenced his ability to effectively evaluate flight parameters and aircraft performance during the low-altitude sequence.
- Situational awareness: Factors such as recent heavy workload and high-stakes motivation may have impacted the pilot's perception and situational awareness during the demonstration.