What happened
On November 14, 1993, a Lake LA-4-200, registration PP-EOT, operated by the Government of the State of Roraima, was performing a local maintenance flight at Júlio César Airport (SBJC) in Pará. During the final approach to runway 15, the aircraft was flying on an excessively low glide slope.
In an attempt to correct the descent, the pilot applied power. However, due to the unique configuration of the aircraft—which features a pusher engine mounted above the wing—the application of power caused the nose to pitch down further. This maneuver resulted in a short landing approximately 30 meters before the runway threshold. Upon impact, the nose gear collapsed in a drainage ditch, followed by the failure of the right wing in a second ditch. The aircraft slid uncontrollably along the runway, eventually coming to rest nearly upside down near the threshold. The aircraft sustained severe damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that while the pilots were experienced in other amphibious aircraft, they had only 2 hours and 50 minutes of flight time in this specific model, having acquired the experience only the previous day. Crucially, neither pilot was qualified or rated to fly the Lake LA-4-200, and they had received no formal training or instruction on its specific handling characteristics.
The investigation also found that the aircraft's maintenance was up to date and the engine and flight controls were functioning normally. Meteorological conditions were favorable, with clear visibility and calm winds. The investigation focused on the pilots' lack of type-specific training and the operational oversight that allowed unqualified personnel to operate the aircraft.