What happened
On January 14, 2011, a Beechcraft B200, registration PR-ART, was performing a transport flight from Brasília to Goiânia. The flight was carrying a pilot and five passengers. During the final approach to runway 32 at Goiânia Airport (SBGO), the aircraft was executing a VOR procedure. After informing Anápolis Control that the aircraft was stabilized on the final approach, the plane collided with Mount Santo Antonio, located approximately 5.77 nautical miles from the runway threshold.
The impact and subsequent fire completely destroyed the aircraft. All six occupants—the pilot and five passengers—perished in the accident.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Investigators examined meteorological reports, which indicated heavy rain, turbulence, and significant cloud build-ups along the approach path. Radar images confirmed thick nebulosity between the aircraft and the airport threshold at the time of the accident.
The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's navigation and the accuracy of aeronautical charts. It was noted that the pilot had been following a track of 320 degrees instead of the prescribed 325 degrees. Furthermore, the commission found that Mount Santo Antonio, a significant obstacle, was not depicted on the approach chart for the runway 32 VOR procedure, which could have reduced the pilot's situational awareness.
Investigators also explored human factors, including the possibility that the pilot may have intentionally descended below the minimum safe altitude of 3,500 feet in an attempt to reach visual conditions, a decision potentially influenced by observing preceding aircraft successfully reaching the runway at lower altitudes.
Findings
- Adverse meteorological conditions, including heavy rain and turbulence, contributed to the accident.
- A navigation deviation occurred, as the aircraft was on a 320-degree track rather than the 325-degree course, aligning it with the terrain.
- The absence of obstacle information on the approach chart regarding Mount Santo Antonio hindered situational awareness.
- The pilot's decision-making may have been compromised by high workload and the potential for an unauthorized descent below minimum safe altitudes to seek visual meteorological conditions.