What happened
On September 24, 2018, a HondaJet HA-420, registration PR-TLZ, was performing a landing at Cataratas Aerodrome (SBFI) in Foz do $Iguaçu, Brazil. The flight, which originated from Curitiba, was transporting two crewmembers and one passenger.
During the landing roll on runway 32, the aircraft encountered heavy precipitation and significant fluctuations in wind direction and intensity. The aircraft experienced aquaplaning on the wet pavement, and a sudden surge in calibrated airspeed—peaking at 32 knots—altered the aircraft's lift characteristics. This surge reduced the tires' grip on the runway, leading to ineffective braking. Consequently, the aircraft overshot the runway limits and fell into a nearby ravine. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but all three occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the meteorological conditions and the aircraft's performance during the landing roll. Investigators analyzed flight data, weather reports, and security camera footage, which confirmed the onset of heavy rain and hail. The investigation established that the wind variations were consistent with a microburst.
While the aircraft was equipped with a reactive windshear detection system, no alarm was issued to the crew during the approach. Investigators determined that the microburst likely originated near the opposite threshold (runway 14) and intensified as the aircraft traveled down the runway. Furthermore, the investigation examined the use of the aircraft's braking and deceleration systems, noting that the emergency brake had been activated, which disabled the anti-skid function, and that the speedbrakes were not extended.
Findings
- The primary contributing factor was adverse meteorological conditions, specifically a microburst that caused a sudden 32-knot increase in airspeed, reducing tire adhesion.
- The runway surface was wet with significant standing water, contributing to aquaplaning.
- The activation of the emergency brake disabled the anti-skid system, which significantly increased the required stopping distance.
- The speedbrakes were not deployed during the landing roll, missing an opportunity for additional aerodynamic drag.
- The windshear event occurred in a manner that likely stayed below the detection thresholds of the aircraft's onboard sensors during the final approach.