Cessna T210N Overruns Unpaved Runway During Emergency Landing in Pará

Casualties unknown • ALTAMIRA, PA, BR

A Cessna T210N aircraft sustained substantial damage after the pilot attempted an emergency landing on an unpaved farm strip due to deteriorating weather conditions.

What happened

On December 8, 2008, a Cessna T210N, registration PT-LXB, departed from Paragominas, PA, en route to Senador José Porfírio/Wilma Rebelo, PA. The flight, carrying a pilot and two passengers, encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions that prevented the crew from maintaining visual flight rules (VMC).

Unable to proceed to the destination or the intended alternate in Altamira due to heavy cloud cover and unfavorable weather, the pilot decided to perform an unplanned landing on an uncertified dirt strip located at Fazenda Peturu, in Altamira, PA. The strip, measuring 1000m by 13m, was wet and slippery following recent rainfall and contained several puddles.

During the landing roll, the pilot failed to account for the first 300 meters of the runway, resulting in insufficient deceleration. As the aircraft approached the end of the strip, the pilot attempted a ground aborted takeoff (go-around) maneuver. However, because the flaps remained at 30° instead of being retracted to the manufacturer-recommended takeoff setting (0° to 10°), the aircraft could not achieve sufficient airspeed to lift off. The aircraft overran the runway, struck a fence, and collided with various obstacles on the uneven terrain, eventually coming to rest upside down 57 meters beyond the runway threshold. The pilot and one passenger sustained light injuries, while the second passenger was uninjured. A small fire started at the battery cable but was extinguished by a passenger.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation focused on the flight planning and the execution of the landing maneuver. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, properly maintained, and within weight and balance limits. The pilot held valid licenses and medical certification. The investigation examined the runway conditions, the aircraft's configuration during the aborted takeoff, and the pilot's lack of meteorological information prior to departure.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by inadequate flight planning and poor pilot judgment, specifically the decision to operate without current weather information and the attempt to land on an uncertified, slippery strip. This was compounded by an improper ground maneuver where the pilot attempted an aborted takeoff without retracting the flaps, preventing the aircraft from gaining necessary lift.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2008-12-08 aircraft accident near ALTAMIRA, PA, BR?

A Cessna T210N aircraft sustained substantial damage after the pilot attempted an emergency landing on an unpaved farm strip due to deteriorating weather conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2008-12-08 involved a aircraft, registration PTLXB, at ALTAMIRA, PA, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by inadequate flight planning and poor pilot judgment, specifically the decision to operate without current weather information and the attempt to land on an uncertified, slippery strip. This was compounded by an improper ground maneuver where the pilot attempted an aborted takeoff without…

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