What happened
On November 2, 2007, a Cessna A-188B, registration PR-LMC, was performing a ground run at the Paragominas Aerodrome (SNEB) in Paragominas, Brazil. The pilot intended to warm up the engine to reduce oil viscosity in preparation for upcoming maintenance inspections and to test various instruments and brakes. During the procedure, the aircraft performed a run along the runway in the 09/27 direction. As the pilot approached the threshold of runway 09 to return to the hangar, they applied the brakes with high intensity. This action caused the aircraft to enter a sharp left turn, known as a "pigtail" or "ground loop," which resulted in the right wing tip striking the ground, the failure of the right main landing gear, and the nose gear colliding with runway edge markings.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation faced significant challenges, as the occurrence was not reported to the authorities until approximately 19 months after the event. By the time investigators were notified, the aircraft had already been removed and repaired by the pilot, without the knowledge or authorization of the regulatory authority (ANAC) or the investigation center (SERIPA).
Investigators examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and found that the annual maintenance inspection (IAM) had been expired since November 2006. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the brake pads on the right wheel had been secured with aluminum rivets, which were not approved by the manufacturer due to their fragility under high temperatures. The pilot, while holding a commercial pilot license, lacked the specific agricultural pilot rating (PAGR) and had only 10 hours of experience in this specific aircraft model.