Accident Summary
A positioning flight from Manaus-Aeroclube de Flores Airport to Manaus-Eduardo Gomes International Airport ended in a fatal crash shortly after takeoff. The single-engine aircraft departed from runway 11, which is 860 meters long. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude, collided with an electric pole, stalled, and crashed in a wooded area. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.
Investigation
Investigators determined that the loss of control occurred because the flight controls were locked. The pilot had not properly prepared for the flight, did not follow the pre-takeoff checklist, and rushed the departure. The investigation also revealed that the operator had been using a control lock that had not been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority for two years, and no procedure had been established for the use of this lock system.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause statement confirms that the accident resulted from the flight controls being locked, due to the pilot's failure to properly prepare the flight and follow the pre-takeoff checklist, as well as rushing the departure. Additionally, the operator's use of an unapproved control lock and lack of a procedure for the lock system were contributing factors as stated in the findings.