What happened
On March 12, 2024, at approximately 12:40 UTC, a Thrush S2R-H80, registration PR-KPS, was performing agricultural spraying operations at the Fazenda Santo Inácio Aerodrome (SJ7J) in São Desidério, Bahia. The aircraft, operated for private agricultural use, had completed several spraying sorties over nearby soybean crops.
During the landing roll on runway 27, the pilot experienced a loss of directional control. The aircraft began to drift to the right, and despite the pilot applying full left rudder and utilizing both left and right brakes, the deviation could not be corrected. The aircraft exited the right side of the unpaved runway approximately 468 meters from the start of the runway. During the excursion, the aircraft'ed turned 45 degrees to the right, causing the left wingtip and propeller blades to strike the ground. The aircraft sustained light damage, and the pilot was unharmed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the runway conditions and the pilot's situational awareness. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, with a valid commercial license and significant experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft was also found to be airworthy, with all maintenance records up to date and operating within weight and balance limits.
Investigators examined the aerodrome infrastructure, noting that the private dirt runway exhibited irregularities. Specifically, the surface showed signs of instability that could compromise directional control. Furthermore, the investigation found that the aerodrome lacked a windsock, leaving the pilot without a visual reference for surface wind direction and intensity. While meteorological data indicated that the wind was within the aircraft's crosswind limits, the pilot was unable to accurately assess the wind conditions at the time of landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the loss of directional control during the landing roll.
- The runway surface was irregular, with potential issues regarding soil stability and material accumulation that could impede steering.
- The pilot's lack of information regarding surface wind direction and intensity contributed to an ineffective response to the crosswind component.
- The operator lacked formal operational risk management tools, such as a Safety Risk Management (SRM) record, to identify and mitigate runway hazards.