What happened
On July 13, 1997, at approximately 13:40 local time, an ERCO Ercoupe 415C, registration PP-DEN, departed from the Conselheiro Lafaiete aerodrome for an aerial filming mission. The crew consisted of the pilot and a cameraman. The intended flight path involved orbiting a public square known as Praça do Cristo, where a large crowd had gathered for a social event.
During the operation, the pilot performed several low-altitude orbits and maneuvers. While attempting to frame the square for filming, the pilot executed a steep, descending right-hand turn. Due to insufficient airspeed to maintain lift during this high-bank maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall. The aircraft lost altitude rapidly, striking an electrical pole with its left wing before impacting the ground. The aircraft slid along the terrain, striking a crowd of people, a passenger car, and two trucks. The impact resulted in eight fatalities among the people on the ground, along with several other injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation utilized video footage recorded by the onboard cameraman, which captured nearly the entire flight, alongside eyewitness accounts. The investigation established that the flight was characterized by high-risk maneuvers, including aerobatics, conducted at altitudes as low as 100 feet over populated areas, in direct violation of aviation regulations (IMA 1 and 100-12).
Investigators also examined the pilot's credentials and the aircraft's maintenance status. It was determined that the pilot was flying with an expired technical certificate (CHT) and was not qualified for the specific type of aerial filming or aerobatic flight being performed. Furthermore, the aircraft's maintenance was found to be irregular; the pilot performed much of the maintenance himself without the necessary qualifications, and the aircraft's logbooks for the engine and propeller were outdated. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was equipped with instruments that did not belong to that specific model.
Findings
- Aerodynamic Stall: The primary cause of the accident was an aerodynamic stall resulting from an inappropriate flight control input, specifically a steep descending turn performed at an insufficient airspeed.
- Insufficient Altitude: The low altitude at which the maneuvers were performed left no margin for recovery once the stall occurred.
- Operational Non-compliance: The pilot intentionally disregarded regulations by flying over a populated area at an altitude far below the legal minimums and performing unauthorized maneuvers.
- Pilot Psychology: The pilot exhibited excessive self-confidence and a habit of pushing the limits of both himself and the aircraft. Personal stressors, including financial difficulties and personal instability, were noted as contributing to a complacent attitude toward safety.
- Maintenance and Licensing: The pilot was operating with an expired CHT and was performing unqualified maintenance on the aircraft.