Runway Excursion at Congonhas Airport Due to Hydroplaning (PT-MFK)

Accident

The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Araçatuba to São Paulo with an intermediate stop in Bauru. On board were 21 passengers and a crew of four. Upon landing on runway 17R at Congonhas Airport, which was wet from light rain, the crew initiated the braking procedure. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft deviated to the left and departed the runway surface. The landing gear contacted soft ground, and the aircraft collided with a concrete block housing the electrical device for the runway lighting system. The impact tore off the nose landing gear, and the aircraft came to rest. All 25 occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from a loss of control during landing due to aquaplaning. The following contributing factors were identified:

• Light rain caused the presence of water on the runway, enabling hydroplaning.
• Inadequate drainage and lack of grooving on the runway surface allowed water accumulation, which enabled hydroplaning.
• The pilot applied full pressure on the right brake pedal, generating a force to the left that contributed to the runway departure.
• During hydroplaning, the pilot applied the right pedal, which aggravated the aircraft's leftward movement. The investigation noted that the proper technique of not applying the pedal on the opposite side of the slide during hydroplaning was not covered in the pilot's training.