What happened
On January 12, 2010, an Embraer EMB-720, registration PT-EOS, operated by Aerowal Táxi Aéreo, was performing a charter flight from Belém to Breves, Brazil. Upon arrival at the destination, the passengers requested an additional leg to the Gurupá aerodrome (SNGU).
During the short final approach for landing on runway 15, the aircraft struck a small elevation located at the beginning of the runway threshold. The impact caused the left main landing gear wheel to detach. Following the collision, the aircraft regained altitude but, during the subsequent landing roll, the aircraft veered to the left and exited the runway. All five occupants—the pilot and four passengers—remained uninjured, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation established that the runway at Gurupá was officially closed due to ongoing construction and poor operational conditions, as specified in NOTAM 1326/09. The pilot was aware of this restriction.
Investigators also identified regulatory irregularities regarding the crew and the operator. At the time of the accident, the aircraft's ownership was in the process of being transferred to a new company owned by the pilot in command. Furthermore, the pilot did not have a formal employment relationship with the operator, which violated Brazilian aeronautical regulations (RBHA 135) regarding flight crew employment. The investigation noted a lack of effective management oversight, as the pilot had previously performed flights for the operator without a formal contract.
Despite these issues, the aircraft was found to be in an airworthy condition, with all inspections and maintenance logs up to date. The aircraft was also within its approved weight and balance limits, and no mechanical malfunctions were identified.