What happened
On November 19, 2017, a Piper PA-46R-350T, registration PR-MFP, was performing a private passenger flight from Paraty, RJ, to São Paulo, SP. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
Upon landing at Campo de Marte Airport (SBMT) on runway 30, the aircraft began to veer to the right during the landing roll. In an attempt to correct the deviation, the pilot applied left rudder pressure. This corrective action was likely too intense, causing the aircraft to swing sharply to the left, crossing the left runway boundary and traveling approximately 30 meters onto the grass before coming to a stop. The impact with the uneven terrain resulted in substantial damage to the nose landing gear.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical systems, including the nose gear steering linkage, braking system, and landing gear integrity. No mechanical failures or abnormalities were found in these components. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, finding that the pilot held valid medical and single-engine land certifications and possessed sufficient experience for the flight.
Technical analysis focused on the rudder trim settings. The aircraft's flight manual specifies that during the approach phase, the rudder trim should be set to the neutral position. Furthermore, the manual warns that during crosswind landings, the rudder pedals must be centered before touchdown to prevent misalignment of the nose gear. Investigators discovered that the rudder trim was set to the Right (R) position at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The rudder trim was improperly set to the right position, which caused the initial deviation.
- The pilot's corrective rudder input was likely excessive, leading to the sudden leftward yaw and subsequent excursion.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear.
- All four occupants of the aircraft were uninjured.