What happened
On May 23, 2017, a Hawker Beechcraft G58, registration PR-DUO, was conducting a private flight from Vilhena, RO, to Porto Velho, RO. During the approach to the Governador Jorge Teixeira de Oliveira International Airport (SBPV), the pilot was notified by air traffic control that meteorological conditions were below the minimums required for an instrument approach.
Following the procedure, the pilot reached the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) and initiated a missed approach. However, upon sighting the runway, the pilot decided to deviate from the prescribed missed approach procedure. The pilot requested a 360-degree left turn at a low altitude to position the aircraft for a visual landing. During this maneuver, the aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted. The contact between the propellers and the ground caused the engines to stop abruptly. Both the pilot and the passenger were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft and found that the landing gear system was fully functional, with no mechanical discrepancies preventing extension. The damage to the aircraft included abrasions on the lower fuselage, damage to the left flap, and scuffing on the nose gear door, all consistent with the gear being in the retracted position during touchdown.
The investigation established that the pilot's decision to proceed with a visual landing despite being informed of the sub-minimum weather conditions constituted an inadequate risk assessment. The investigators also noted that the pilot's deviation from the standard missed approach procedure increased the operational workload, likely leading to the omission of the landing gear checklist. Furthermore, the investigation found that the airport operator failed to notify the investigation agency (SERIPA VII) of the occurrence and that the aircraft was moved from the scene without authorization.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to proceed with a landing under adverse weather conditions despite being informed of sub-minimum visibility.
- The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear due to an omission during the approach checklist.
- Increased workload resulting from performing a non-standard approach at low altitude.
- Flight indiscipline due to the deviation from established instrument approach procedures.
- Potential overconfidence in flight skills affecting the decision-making process.
- Lack of communication from the airport operator regarding the incident.
Safety action
CENIPA issued several recommendations:
- To ANAC: To alert general aviation pilots regarding the risks of non-compliance with instrument approach procedures during adverse weather.
- To ANAC: To alert operators to the risk of forgetting gear extensions due to changes in air traffic phraseology.
- To INFRAERO: To reinforce the obligation of airport administrators to report aeronautical occurrences to SIPAER and preserve evidence.
- To DECEA: To analyze the possibility of reinstating the requirement for pilots to report landing gear position to ATC during final approach.