What happened
On September 15, 2018, a Raytheon C90A, registration PR-RFB, was operating an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight from Florianópolis (SBFL) to Chapecó (SBCH). The flight proceeded normally at FL 200 until the pilot received information that the destination aerodrome was operating under visual conditions.
At approximately 47 NM from the destination, the pilot informed the Chapecó Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) of his intention to descend to traffic altitude. During this descent, the aircraft struck a ridge at an elevation of 3,195 ft. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and the pilot was killed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that while the destination aerodrome reported favorable visibility, the accident site was covered in dense fog. Although the pilot was flying under an IFR flight plan—which mandated a minimum altitude of 5,000 ft—the aircraft descended below this limit.
Investigators examined the pilot's decision-making process, noting that the pilot did not cancel the IFR flight plan despite intending to perform a visual approach. The investigation also reviewed meteorological data, which confirmed that conditions at the impact site were not suitable for VFR flight. Additionally, the investigation explored the pilot's psychological state, noting that personal motivations and external stressors may have influenced his judgment and performance.