What happened
On May 17, 2015, an Embraer EMB-711ST (registration PT-NXN) was performing a private transport flight from Ijuí, RS, to Umuarama, PR. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. During the approach to Umuarama Airport, the pilot reported an electrical failure and stated that attempts to extend the landing gear using both the normal and emergency systems had failed. Consequently, the pilot proceeded with a landing approach with the gear retracted. The aircraft subsequently made a belly landing, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Both occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's systems and the pilot's statements. Although the pilot reported an electrical malfunction, post-incident inspections revealed that the electrical system was functioning normally. Furthermore, no defects were found in the hydraulic system or the landing gear mechanism. While the pilot claimed to have shut down the engine while crossing the runway threshold, physical evidence—including propeller deformation and markings on the runway—indicated the landing occurred with reduced power rather than a complete engine failure.
Investigators also noted that the propeller had been removed from the aircraft prior to the initial investigation actions without authorization from the investigating authority. The investigation also considered the pilot's experience level, noting that while the pilot had 15,000 total flight hours, only 50 of those hours were accumulated in this specific aircraft model, much of which was spent flying aircraft with fixed landing gear.
Findings
Due to discrepancies between the pilot's reports and the physical evidence, the contributing factors could not be definitively determined. However, the investigation raised the hypothesis that the pilot may have failed to use the aircraft's checklist during the approach, leading to the omission of the landing gear extension.