Serious Incident Involving Airbus A320-214 PR-MHV at Brasília (PRMHV)

Incident Overview and Flight History<br><br>On April 8, 2015, at 16:04 UTC, an Airbus A320-214 with registration PR-MHV, operated by TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A., was involved in a serious incident classified as an undershoot/overshoot. The aircraft was conducting a regular transport flight from Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre Airport (SBRF) in Recife, Pernambuco, to Pres. Juscelino Kubitschek Airport (SBBR) in Brasília, Distrito Federal. The flight carried six crewmembers and 154 passengers.<br><br>During the final approach to runway 29R at SBBR using the RNAV (GNSS) Y procedure, the crew lost visual contact with the runway after encountering light rain that rapidly intensified into heavy rain. Although the runway was initially in sight when passing the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) of 3,880 ft (401 ft AGL), the deteriorating weather conditions prevented the crew from completing the approach. The pilot initiated a reject landing procedure, but the aircraft lost altitude and touched down prior to the runway threshold. Shortly after touchdown, the right landing gear struck a runway threshold light.<br><br>## Damage and Aftermath<br><br>The incident resulted in minor damage to the aircraft, specifically affecting the right main landing gear tires (numbered 3 and 4) and the fuselage, which sustained minor damage from shrapnel generated by the impact with the light. No injuries were reported among the six crewmembers or 154 passengers on board. Following the undershoot, the crew performed another RNAV (GNSS) Y procedure and completed a safe final landing.<br><br>## Investigation and Safety Context<br><br>The investigation was conducted by the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) under the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention System (SIPAER). An accredited representative from the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (BEA) in France, the aircraft manufacturing state, participated in the investigation. The final report, designated IG-057/CENIPA/2015, focuses on identifying contributing factors and recommending preventative measures in accordance with international standards, including Annex 13 to the 1944 Chicago Convention. The report emphasizes that its purpose is solely to prevent future accidents and does not determine civil or criminal liability.