What happened
On June 5, 2012, at approximately 20:30 UTC, a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration PR-HDD, was conducting a private flight from Cáceres, Mato Grosso, to Rondonópolis, with an intended subsequent stop in Barra do Garças. The flight was being operated by Flyone Serv. Aer. Espec. Com. e Serv. Ltda.
During the flight, the pilot maintained an altitude of 500 feet. After approximately 40 minutes of flight, deteriorating weather conditions rendered visual flight rules (VFR) impossible. The pilot attempted to return to the departure airfield in Cáceres, but the return route was also compromised by heavy weather. Consequently, the pilot was forced to perform an unplanned landing on an uncertified, unregistered airstrip located at Fazenda Acori, in the municipality of Barão de Melgaço.
During the landing attempt, strong winds caused the aircraft to lose control, resulting in a nose-down impact with the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained light injuries to the right leg, while the passenger remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA VI established that the pilot was unaware of the specific meteorological conditions along the intended route. Analysis of satellite imagery and SIGWX charts from the day of the occurrence revealed that a large area of the southern-southeastern region of Mato Grosso was covered by low ceilings, restricted visibility, and embedded cumulonimbus (CB) clouds.
Investigators determined that the decision to return to the origin was made too late. Due to the presence of heavy weather formations and strong winds, the pilot was unable to maneuver around the clouds or execute a safe landing at a certified aerodrome. The investigation noted that the pilot had access to official meteorological products via the REDEMET system, which could have provided the necessary warnings to prevent the flight.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning regarding the assessment of weather along the route.
- Adverse meteorological conditions, specifically low visibility and embedded cumulonimbus clouds.
- A delayed decision-making process that prevented the pilot from avoiding heavy weather formations.
- Loss of control during the landing attempt due to strong surface winds.