Accident
The approach to Santa Cruz do Sul Airport was conducted in poor weather conditions with rain. After touchdown on runway 26, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran the runway and collided with an embankment located 50 metres beyond the runway end, coming to rest. The aircraft was destroyed. The captain sustained serious injuries, the copilot was killed, and the three other occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Runway Information
Runway 26 at Santa Cruz do Sul is 4,000 feet long. Investigation determined that the aircraft landed approximately 400 metres past the runway threshold at an excessive speed, reducing the available landing distance.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified several findings: the visibility was reduced by rainfall; the runway surface was wet; braking action was poor; the crew landed too far down the runway (about 400 metres past the threshold); the aircraft's touchdown speed was excessive; the copilot was inexperienced and lacked training or qualification on such aircraft type; there was a lack of crew coordination; poor crew resource management; and an incomplete approach briefing.