What happened
On August 19, 2014, at 08:45 UTC, an Embraer EMB-810C, registration PT-RMX, was taxiing at Belém International Airport (SBBE) for a scheduled charter flight to Santarém. The aircraft, operated by Piquiutuba Taxi Aereo Ltda, had requested taxi instructions from the remote apron to runway 06.
While taxiing along runway 02/20 via taxiway Hotel, the aircraft approached taxiway Alfa. Before reaching the intersection, the pilot initiated a turn that caused the aircraft to exit the paved surface and enter the grass by approximately three meters. The pilot immediately stopped the aircraft, shut down the engines, and instructed the two passengers to disembark. All three occupants, including the pilot, were unharmed.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA I examined the environmental conditions and airport infrastructure at the time of the incident. Investigators found that although the pilot was qualified and experienced, several factors compromised situational awareness.
High relative humidity and low external temperatures caused the windshield to fog during the taxi. The pilot attempted to clear the obstruction by wiping the exterior of the windshield by hand, an action that likely diverted attention from taxiway centerline maintenance. Furthermore, the investigation identified degraded infrastructure, noting that the taxiway markings were significantly worn. Additionally, a blue taxiway edge light was found to be positioned more than three meters away from the actual edge of the taxiway, which was in violation of RBAC 154 regulations. The incident occurred approximately 30 minutes before sunrise, further complicating visual references.
Findings
- Environmental influences, specifically windshield fogging due to humidity and temperature.
- Infrastructure deficiencies, including worn taxiway paint and improperly positioned edge lighting.
- Pilot judgment regarding the management of visibility and taxiway navigation during low-light conditions.