What happened
On December 20, 2021, at approximately 18:15 UTC, a BRAVO 700 experimental aircraft, registration PU-BLM, was performing a local flight at Aeródromo Fazenda Vale Eldorado in Bragança Paulista, Brazil. The flight, which included a pilot and one passenger, was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in favorable meteorological conditions.
Upon landing on runway 04, the aircraft failed to maintain its centerline and veered to the left. During the subsequent runway excursion, the aircraft traveled toward an area with a downward slope, eventually coming to a stop approximately 50 meters from the runway near the threshold of runway 22. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse and the main landing gear to deform laterally. The left wing shifted forward, causing the left aileron to detach and the wing root to crack the windshield. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though both occupants remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's maintenance status. The pilot held a valid private pilot license and medical certificate, though flight logs indicated limited experience, with approximately 48 total flight hours and only 15 hours in this specific model. The aircraft's experimental flight authorization (CAVE) was valid, but investigators noted that the logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date.
While the pilot reported experiencing intermittent brake failure during the landing roll, investigators were unable to verify this claim due to the extensive damage to the main landing gear. Meteorological data from a nearby station indicated winds were between 6 and 9 knots, originating from the right crosswind/tailwind direction.
Findings
- Pilot judgment regarding runway selection and landing technique contributed to the excursion, particularly as the pilot selected a runway configuration that likely increased the required stopping distance.
- The aircraft's susceptibility to crosswind variations, combined with the pilot's limited experience in the specific model, may have hindered effective directional control on the ground.
- The presence of a tailwind component and the use of an unsuitable runway were identified as contributing factors.