What happened
On December 3, 2019, a Neiva EMB-710C, registration PT-NLJ, departed from the Ourilândia do Norte Aerodrome (SDOW) in Pará, Brazil, for a flight to an unregistered landing site known as Garimpo da Peruana. The flight was intended to transport cargo and three passengers, with the pilot in command operating the aircraft.
Upon attempting to land at the unrecorded site, the aircraft experienced a heavy touchdown. During the landing roll, the right wing made contact with the terrain, causing the aircraft to capsize. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, the pilot and all three passengers escaped the incident uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators learned of the accident through the Aeronautical Search and Rescue Coordination Center (SALVAERO) in Manaus, as the operator had not officially reported the occurrence. The investigation focused on the landing conditions and the legal status of the crew and aircraft.
Investigators found that the landing site, Garimly da Peruana, was an unregistered strip consisting of muddy, potholed terrain with high vegetation on the sides and a downward slope in the direction of the landing. The investigation also revealed that the pilot's medical certificate had expired on December 1, 2019. Furthermore, while the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, the maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date, with the last entry in the logbook dating back to October 28, 2019.
Additionally, the investigation uncovered a legal dispute involving the aircraft; the owner had filed a police report alleging that the pilot had misappropriated the aircraft.
Findings
- The landing strip was unregistered and presented hazardous surface conditions, including mud, potholes, and uneven terrain.
- The pilot was operating with an expired medical certificate.
- The pilot had not performed the required number of takeoffs and landings within the 90 days prior to the flight to maintain currency.
- Maintenance records for the aircraft components were not updated.
- The pilot's decision-making, judgment, and control inputs contributed to the accident.