What happened
On November 7, 2009, a Neiva 56-C-1, registration PP-HLX, was performing a local flight departing from the Pirassununga Aerodrome in São Paulo, Brazil. The pilot elected to perform a three-point landing on the unpaved runway. Following the touchdown, the aircraft began to veer toward the right side of the runway.
In an attempt to correct the deviation, the pilot applied the left brake, which caused the aircraft to swing toward the left side of the runway. To prevent the aircraft from exiting the runway perimeter entirely, the pilot applied the brakes abruptly. This sudden braking caused the aircraft to pivot around its lateral axis, lifting the tail and resulting in the propeller striking the ground. The aircraft came to a stop at a 45-degree angle relative to the runway centerline. The pilot was uninjured, though the aircraft sustained light damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed that while the pilot held valid licenses and the aircraft possessed a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, the aircraft's maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date. Additionally, the investigation found that certain repairs had been performed without proper authorization.
Regarding the airfield, inspectors had previously identified several discrepancies concerning the maintenance and operational safety of the Pirassununga Aerodrome. The investigation noted that the boundary between the runway and adjacent vegetation was poorly defined and that animal movement on the taxiway had been observed. Furthermore, there was a lack of clarity regarding the responsibilities for airfield management between the local municipality and the flight school operating at the site.
Findings
- Improper control inputs during the landing phase.
- Limited flight experience of the pilot and low flight frequency in the preceding 30 days.
- Inadequate management supervision regarding maintenance records and aircraft repairs.
- Deficiencies in the maintenance and oversight of the aerodrome infrastructure.