What happened
On May 24, 2013, a Cessna 150J, registration PT-AVJ, departed from Salvador (SBSV) bound for Lençóis (SBLE). During the takeoff roll, the aircraft experienced a sudden sink rate immediately after rotation. The pilot attempted to prevent the aircraft from returning to the runway, but the impact caused the nose gear bearing housing to rupture, resulting in the separation of the wheel and tire assembly.
The pilot continued the flight toward the destination without realizing the component had been lost. While operating within the Salvador Terminal Control Area (TMA-SV), the aircraft experienced a communications failure, and the pilot did not input the 7600 transponder code. As the aircraft approached Lençóis, the pilot established contact with Lençóis Radio, who informed the crew of the missing nose gear. After performing two low passes over the runway to confirm the condition, the pilot executed an emergency landing. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear strut due to friction with the ground, but the pilot and passenger remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the mechanical failure and the pilot's response to the emergency. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and found that the aircraft's logbook lacked updated flight hour entries and had no recorded discrepancies in the maintenance section since July 2012.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's performance, noting that while the pilot held valid medical and technical certifications, this was their first flight in this specific aircraft model. Furthermore, investigators analyzed the takeoff procedure, comparing the pilot's actions against the manufacturer's manual, which specifies elevator control and lift requirements for a normal takeoff.
Findings
- The primary cause of the gear failure was a premature rotation, where the pilot rotated the aircraft before reaching the manufacturer-recommended speed, leading to an unsuccessful attempt to climb and a subsequent impact with the runway.
- The pilot failed to notice the loss of the nose gear wheel during the initial climb.
- The pilot did not utilize the 7600 transponder code during the period of communications failure.
- The pilot lacked specific experience operating this particular aircraft model.
- There were discrepancies in the aircraft's maintenance documentation, including missing flight hour updates and a lack of recent discrepancy entries.