What happened
On September 5, 2008, at approximately 16:30 UTC, a Maule M-7-235 amphibious aircraft, registered as PT-ONN, was performing a takeoff from the Rio Negro near the Porto de Balsas do São Raimundo in Manaus, Brazil. The aircraft was conducting a planned one-hour local sightseeing flight with a pilot and two passengers on board.
During the takeoff run, a small aluminum boat crossed the aircraft's path. The aircraft's floats struck the side of the vessel. The impact caused substantial damage to the right side of the boat, while the aircraft sustained light damage. The pilot and one passenger of the boat sustained minor injuries, while the remaining six occupants of the vessel and all three occupants of the aircraft were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the takeoff area was a recognized vessel traffic lane, as documented by the Capitania Fluvial da Amazônia Ocidental (CFAO). On the day of the incident, vessel traffic in the area was significantly higher than usual due to a local holiday, which increased recreational boat activity and crossings to the Cacau Pirêra area.
The investigation examined the pilot's qualifications and found that while the pilot held a valid single-engine amphibious rating, his knowledge of maritime navigation, traffic lanes, and vessel maneuvering rules was purely empirical. The investigation noted that while amphibious pilots must be proficient in water takeoffs and landings, there was no requirement for formal maritime navigation training, which falls under the jurisdiction of maritime authorities. Furthermore, the investigation found that no accredited school in Brazil provided the specific theoretical course required by RBHA No. 61 for amphibious pilots at the time.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning, as the pilot failed to account for the increased vessel traffic caused by the local holiday.
- Errors in pilot judgment, specifically regarding the decision to execute a takeoff crossing a known vessel traffic lane.
- Deficiencies in training and instruction, as the pilot's maritime maneuvering knowledge was based on experience rather than formal regulation-based training.
- The aircraft was within weight and center of gravity limits, and all required airworthiness documentation was up to date.