What happened
On April 6, 2008, at approximately 00:00 UTC, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-IFX, crashed during a nighttime takeoff from the Novo Progresso Aerodrome (SJNP) in Pará, Brazil. The incident followed a criminal event at the airfield where five armed individuals had held a security guard at gunpoint. After failing to start another aircraft, the group commandeered the PT-SBX and successfully departed the airfield.
The aircraft attempted to take off from a gravel runway that lacked nighttime lighting. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft experienced a loss of lift, causing it to strike a tree and subsequently impact the ground. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and three fatalities among the occupants.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators learned of the occurrence through reports from the Civil Police of Novo Progresso and local aviation community contacts. The investigation established that the individual operating the aircraft was a Bolivian national without a valid Brazilian pilot's license. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate had been canceled due to expired annual maintenance inspections and insurance, as well as irregularities regarding the station license. The aircraft had reportedly not flown for over a year, and its last recorded annual maintenance inspection took place in November 1991.
Findings
- The aircraft was operated by individuals who had stolen it during an armed robbery.
- The takeoff was performed at night on an unlit gravel runway.
- The aircraft suffered a loss of lift during the takeoff phase.
- The airfield infrastructure included trees located at the extensions of the runway thresholds.
- The pilot lacked the necessary legal authorization and licensing to operate the aircraft.