What happened
On December 26, 2011, a Cessna 210L, registration PT-KKP, departed from Confins Aerodrome (SBCF) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, bound for Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. The flight was intended for personnel transport with one pilot and one passenger on board.
During the flight, approximately 50 minutes after takeoff, the pilot decided to divert to Formiga Aerodrome (SNFO) due to deteriorating weather conditions. The region was experiencing typical summer weather, characterized by heavy rain and cumulonimbus cloud formations. During the approach and landing phase at Formiga, the pilot failed to follow the necessary checklist items, resulting in the aircraft landing with the landing gear in the retracted position.
The impact caused damage to the engine, propeller, and the lower portion of the fuselage. Both occupants of the aircraft were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the flight planning and the execution of the landing sequence. The investigation established that while the pilot was qualified and experienced in this type of flight, his instrument rating (IFRA) had been expired since 2008. The aircraft was found to be in a valid airworthy condition and within weight and balance limits.
Investigators examined the meteorological conditions, noting that the programmed route presented adverse weather that was not adequately addressed during the initial flight planning stage. The investigation also confirmed that no mechanical malfunctions contributed to the incident; the landing gear remained retracted solely due to human error during the checklist execution.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning regarding the assessment of meteorological conditions along the route.
- Pilot error involving the failure to complete the landing checklist, specifically the omission of the landing gear extension command.