What happened
On September 22, 2010, at approximately 21:38 UTC, a Neiva EMB-711C, registration PT-NOP, was performing a private flight from Santa Inês to São Luís, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
During the final approach to the Marechal Cunha Machado Airport (SBSL), the pilot configured the flaps to 25°. At this moment, the landing gear warning horn activated, indicating that the landing gear had not been extended. The pilot determined that a safe go-around was not possible and proceeded with the landing. The aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted, sliding approximately 165 meters before coming to a complete stop. The impact resulted in light damage to the propeller blades, engine, flaps, and lower fuselage, but both occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed that the aircraft had been sold to an air taxi company in August 201 and the ownership transfer was not officially registered in the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry until the day after the accident. Consequently, the aircraft was still registered under the Private Air Services (TPP) category and was not yet part of the new operator's operational specifications, meaning the flight was technically operating in violation of regulatory requirements regarding commercial air transport.
The investigation also examined the pilot's communication with the São Luís Tower. While the pilot reported his position, he failed to report the status of the landing gear as required by air traffic rules. The investigation found that had the gear status been reported, the controller might have helped the pilot identify the error, allowing time to extend the gear or execute a controlled go-around.
Findings
- The pilot failed to complete the aircraft checklist properly, specifically regarding the landing gear extension.
- The pilot's decision to proceed with the landing instead of performing a go-around was inadequate, as it failed to account for the risks of a gear-up touchdown.
- The pilot did not follow standard phraseology by failing to report the landing gear status to the control tower.
- The aircraft was operating under a private registration while performing a charter flight for a company that had not yet formally added the aircraft to its fleet.