No fatalities

1996-02-04: Cessna 500 Citation (PT-KPA) — Táxi Aéreo Weston — Fazenda Matary, Brazil

Fazenda Matary, BrazilLanding (descent or approach)

On February 4, 1996, a Cessna 500 Citation (registration PT-KPA) operated by Táxi Aéreo Weston was involved in an aviation accident near Fazenda Matary, Brazil during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Overconfidence and impulsive attitude of the instructor, inadequate planning, error in judgment regarding landing configuration and speed, and lack of communication, coupled with the student's unauthorized engine acceleration. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781207287Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight from Imperatriz to Fazenda Matary, the aircraft overran the runway after a planned touch-and-go was changed to a full stop, resulting in a post-crash fire. All three occupants escaped uninjured, but the aircraft was destroyed.

Event Overview

En route from Imperatriz to Fazenda Matary, the captain informed the copilot that he would perform training upon arrival as there were no passengers on board. During descent, the captain advised air traffic control that he would execute a touch-and-go manoeuvre. The aircraft landed with flaps at 15° and a speed of 125 knots, approximately 10 knots above the reference speed of 116 knots.

Sequence of Events

After touchdown, the captain changed his mind and decided to perform a complete stop without informing the copilot. The copilot noticed the speed decreasing and increased engine power for takeoff. Shortly thereafter, the captain reduced power and initiated braking. Unable to stop within the remaining runway distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest several dozen metres beyond the runway, bursting into flames.

Occupants and Damage

All three occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire.

Official Findings

Probable cause findings reported in the official investigation include:

  • Overconfidence and impulsive attitude on the part of the instructor, leading him to believe he could land without problems, even after changing the established procedure and not communicating his decision to the copilot/student.
  • The instructor did not properly plan the landing procedure that he decided to carry out, contrary to the briefing.
  • Error in the instructor's judgment due to an inadequate assessment of a normal landing with 15° flap configuration and speed approximately 10 knots above the predicted reference, contrary to the previous briefing.
  • The instructor did not inform the student of his decision to complete the landing without rush, nor did he respond to the student's request to initiate a go-around. The student accelerated the engines without the instructor's authorization.