What happened
On November 17, 2022, an Embraer EMB-121 (registration PT-MAD) was operating a private flight from Sarandi, Rio Grande do Sul, to Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul. During the flight, the crew decided to divert to the Forquilhinha - Criciúma Aerodrome (SSIM) in Santa Catarina to refuel.
At approximately 16:23 UTC, the aircraft landed on runway 09. Although the airfield was officially closed for maintenance—as indicated by a temporary information notice (INFOTEMP 2206F/22) effective until March 2023—the crew completed the landing without any reported abnormalities. The aircraft and all three occupants, including two pilots and one passenger, were unharmed, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
Upon landing, the crew was informed by ground maintenance personnel that the runway was closed and that the operation was not at an acceptable safety level. Despite this warning, the crew proceeded to take off from the airfield at 17:39 UTC.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational decisions made by the crew and the state of the airfield infrastructure. The investigation confirmed that the pilots held valid licenses and medical certificates, and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions at the time were favorable.
Investigators found that the maintenance team on the ground was monitoring a specific radio frequency (123.45 MHz) for aircraft communications, but they received no prior notification from the crew regarding their intention to land. Furthermore, the investigation identified that the airfield was not in compliance with Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation (RBAC) No. 154. Specifically, the runway lacked the required horizontal markings necessary to indicate a temporary closure.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning, as the crew was unaware of the specific operational restrictions and the closed status of the airfield as published in the INFOTEMP.
- Improper decision-making regarding the choice to land at a closed facility and the subsequent decision to depart after being notified of the safety risks.
- Inadequate airfield infrastructure, as the runway lacked the mandatory horizontal signaling required by RBAC No. 154 to denote a closed runway.
- Crew attitude contributed to the occurrence through the disregard for established procedures.