What happened
On November 4, 2012, at approximately 20:00 UTC, an Aeromot AMT-200, registration PR-APM, was performing a police support mission for the Bahia State Public Security Secretariat. The flight departed from Lençóis (SBLE) heading toward Barreiras (SNBR) to support the 'BAHIA SEM FOGO' operations.
As the aircraft approached its destination, approximately 40 nautical miles out, the pilot encountered severe meteorological conditions that prevented continued flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). After attempting to divert north and then attempting to return to the departure airfield, the pilot encountered further heavy cloud formations. With sunset approaching, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing in a cleared area at Fazenda Confidência, near Cotegipe, Bahia. The landing resulted in substantial damage to the propeller blades, fuselage, landing gear, and right wing, as well as minor damage to the left wing and right aileron. Both the pilot and the passenger were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation by SERIPA II examined the flight trajectory and the meteorological conditions present in the region. A meteorological analysis from the CINDACTA III Surveillance Meteorological Center confirmed that between 19:00 and 21:00 UTC, the region experienced highly unfavorable conditions for aerial operations. The area was characterized by cumulonimbus clouds with significant vertical development, strong thermal convection, icing, turbulence, and intense updrafts and downdrafts. The investigation established that the aircraft was within weight and balance limits and that the pilot held valid medical and technical certifications.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning, as the atmospheric conditions of the region should have been accounted for during the pre-flight phase.
- Presence of severe convective weather, including cumulonimbus clouds and turbulence, which made VFR flight impossible.