What happened
On March 16, 2009, a Cessna 206F, registration PT-JDN, was performing a cargo and passenger flight between Itaituba, Pará, and its intended destination. Due to deteriorating weather conditions involving heavy rain and cumulonimbus clouds, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing at the Garimpo Tocantinzinho airstrip (SNFL).
During the landing roll, the aircraft's right wing struck vines that had been blown onto the runway by recent heavy rains. This impact caused a sudden yaw, prompting the pilot to apply heavy left rudder and braking to maintain the runway centerline. The aircraft skidded approximately 50 meters on the wet, slippery surface. The intense lateral force applied to the nose gear caused the mounting bolts to bend and the fork hub to break, resulting in the propeller striking the ground. The aircraft sustained light damage, and all three occupants—the pilot and two passengers—remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed several critical safety breaches and operational irregularities. The investigation noted that the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate was suspended at the time of the flight. Furthermore, the aircraft was being operated in a cargo configuration that was not properly homologated for the specific mission. The investigation found that all seats except the pilot's had been removed to accommodate 350kg of cargo, leaving the two passengers without seats or safety belts, positioned directly on top of the cargo.
The investigation also highlighted significant deficiencies in flight planning. The pilot lacked current meteorological information for the route and the intended airports. Additionally, the airstrip at SNFL, while documented in the ROTAER as 400m x 20m, was found to be operating at a reduced capacity of approximately 350m x 10m, with large trees encroaching upon the approach and departure paths.
Findings
- Improper flight planning and lack of access to meteorological reports (METAR) led to an inadequate assessment of weather risks.
- Inadequate runway infrastructure, specifically the encroachment of vegetation and reduced usable runway width, contributed to the wing strike.
- Non-compliance with safety regulations, including flying with a suspended airworthiness certificate and operating the aircraft in an unapproved cargo configuration.
- Unsafe passenger and cargo loading, where passengers were transported without seats or restraints, and cargo was not properly secured.
- Pilot decision-making and aggressive control inputs during the skid contributed to the structural failure of the nose gear.