What happened
On October 14, 2008, a Cessna 210L, registration PT-JAV, was performing a ferry flight from Macapá to Chaves, Pará, when a runway excursion occurred. After touching down on runway 26 at Chaves Aerodrome (SNXW), the pilot observed a pedestrian walking along the right side of the runway, moving in the same direction as the aircraft.
In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot executed a leftward deviation. During this maneuver, the aircraft left the runway boundaries and struck a concrete walkway located 37 meters from the threshold of runway 08. The aircraft sustained light damage, and the pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation revealed significant discrepancies regarding the aerodrome's infrastructure. While the aeronautical information manual (ROTAER) indicated a runway length of 1,200m and a width of 100m, investigators found the actual dimensions were only 600m x 30m. Evidence on the ground showed the initial touchdown occurred 150m past the threshold of runway 26.
Investigators also noted that the pilot had accelerated the engines twice during the landing roll in an attempt to alert the pedestrian, which prevented the aircraft from slowing down effectively. Furthermore, the investigation found that the aerodrome lacked operational fencing, allowing pedestrians and animals to use the runway as a path. The concrete walkway, which acted as an obstacle, exacerbated the consequences of the excursion.
Findings
- Inadequate pilot judgment regarding the use of engine power and braking timing during the landing roll.
- Deficient airport infrastructure, specifically the lack of perimeter fencing and the presence of an unprotected obstacle (the concrete walkway).
- Discrepancies between official runway dimensions and actual field conditions.
- Potential presence of a tailwind component that increased the required landing distance.