What happened
On June 23, 2008, at approximately 20:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-720C, registration PT-EBY, operated by Cururupu Táxi Aéreo Ltda., was performing a local flight over the Lençóis Maranhenses region. The aircraft, carrying one pilot and four passengers, was on final approach to runway 11 at the Barreirinhas Aerodrome (SSRS) in Maranhão, Brazil.
During the landing roll, the pilot observed a domestic dog crossing the runway perpendicularly. In an attempt to avoid the animal, the pilot executed a sharp left turn, causing the left main gear to contact the runway shoulder. Approximately 400 meters from the runway threshold, the nose gear collided with the animal. This impact compromised the aircraft's directional control, causing the aircraft to veer to the right and exit the runway. The aircraft subsequently entered a muddy area adjacent to the runway, where the propeller struck the ground. The aircraft came to a stop at a 45-degree angle with its nose down. All five occupants escaped the incident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed that the Barreirinhas Aerodrome was under operational restrictions at the time, authorized only for the transport of emergency medicines, health technicians, and seriously ill patients. Both the pilot and the operator were aware of these restrictions. The investigation also identified significant infrastructure failures, noting that holes in the aerodrome's perimeter fencing allowed animals, including dogs and cattle, to roam freely onto the runway.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the organizational culture of the operator, finding evidence of inadequate managerial supervision and flight planning. The pilot's decision to conduct a non-authorized flight type, combined with the sudden steering maneuver, was identified as a critical factor in the loss of control.