What happened
On December 23, 2019, an Aerobravo Bravo 700, registration PU-DAL, was performing a private flight from Goiânia to the Estância Acrobata Aerodrome in Leopoldo de Bulhões, Goiás. The flight, which included a pilot and one passenger, had been in the air for approximately 35 minutes when the aircraft approached the runway.
During the final stages of the landing approach, the aircraft encountered a moderate to strong lateral gust of wind. This gust pushed the aircraft off its centerline. The pilot attempted to execute a go-around, but during this maneuver, the aircraft struck low-voltage power lines at an altitude of approximately five meters. Following the impact with the wires, the aircraft spun and struck the ground. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators confirmed that the pilot held a valid medical certificate and the necessary single-engine land ratings, possessing the required experience for the flight. The aircraft also held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness. However, due to the absence of certain documentation at the time of the investigation, investigators could not verify the aircraft's weight and balance status or the current maintenance logs for the engine, propeller, and airframe.
Environmental analysis revealed that wind conditions at the time of the landing attempt were moderate to strong. The investigation focused on the aircraft's deviation from the runway centerline and the subsequent contact with the electrical infrastructure.
Findings
- Inappropriate use of flight controls during the encounter with the wind gust.
- Inadequate assessment of operational parameters, specifically the failure to properly evaluate wind limits for a safe landing.
- Presence of moderate to strong lateral winds during the approach.