What happened
On December 9, 2022, at 10:20 UTC, a Piper PA-46-500TP, registration PT-HBF, was conducting a private passenger flight from Blumenau to Florianópolis. The aircraft, operated by H Bremer & Filhos Ltda, was carrying one pilot and four passengers.
During the approach to Aeródromo Hercílio Luz (SBFL), the pilot requested a visual approach for runway 14, even though runway 32 was the active runway in use. While the approach was authorized by air traffic control, the aircraft touched down on Taxiway D, which runs parallel to runway 14, rather than the actual runway. The pilot reported that the position of the sun caused significant glare, which obscured his vision and reduced his situational awareness. The pilot noted that he only realized the aircraft was over the taxiway during the flare and determined that a go-around was no longer possible.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators reviewed radar data from CINDACTA II, radio communications between the pilot and the Florianópolis Approach and Tower controllers, and meteorological reports. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was qualified with valid instrument and single-engine ratings, and the aircraft was airworthy with up-to-date maintenance records.
Analysis of the radio transcripts revealed that while the tower authorized the approach, the controller did not instruct the pilot to perform a missed approach or go-around despite the aircraft approaching a surface other than the designated runway. Investigators also examined the regulatory framework, specifically ICA 100-37, noting a gap in the instructions provided to air traffic controllers regarding aircraft approaching non-runway surfaces like taxiways.