What happened
On November 14, 2016, a Cessna A1-88B, registration PR-LFA, was performing a local flight operation in Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul. After departing from Montenegro, the aircraft attempted to take off from the runway at Fazenda Ávila. During the takeoff roll, approximately 50 meters from the start of the runway, the left main landing gear leg suddenly failed, causing the left wing to drop. This was immediately followed by the failure of the right main landing gear leg. The resulting impact caused the propeller to strike the ground, leading to damage to the propeller blades, the engine lower cowling, and the hopper. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation by SERIPA V was initiated only after a report was received via a complaint, as the operator failed to notify the aeronautical accident investigation and prevention system (SIPAER) of the occurrence. Investigators faced significant obstacles, as the aircraft had been removed from the scene and placed into repairs without authorization from the Investigating Command. Furthermore, the investigation began nine days after the event, by which time the physical evidence at the site had been altered.
Upon inspection, investigators discovered a systemic failure to adhere to aeronautical regulations. The aircraft's annual maintenance inspection had been expired since January 2016, and its airworthiness certificate had been suspended by ANAC since February 2016. Additionally, the pilot's single-engine land and agricultural pilot ratings had been expired since June 2012, and the pilot's medical certificate had been invalid since July 2014. Logbooks and component maintenance records were also found to be outdated.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the structural failure of the main landing gear legs during the takeoff roll.
- The aircraft was operating with an expired airworthiness certificate and overdue annual maintenance.
- The pilot was operating with expired pilot ratings and an invalid medical certificate.
- There was a significant lack of regulatory oversight, evidenced by outdated maintenance logs and expired airworthiness directives.
- The operator failed to report the accident to the proper authorities, and the unauthorized removal of the aircraft hindered the investigation.