What happened
On November 26, 2000, a PA-28-140 was conducting a VFR flight from Carlos Prates (SNCH) to Campos (SBCP). While flying approximately 7 nautical miles to the right of the intended route near Muriaé, the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including low ceilings, drizzle, and stratus clouds.
In an attempt to maintain visual flight conditions, the pilot initiated a descent to fly at a low altitude beneath the cloud layer. During this maneuver, the aircraft's wingtip struck the treetops on a hilltop near Fazenda Ancorado, leading to a subsequent impact with the ground. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and flight planning. Investigators established that while the departure and destination airports were operating under visual conditions, the mountainous terrain along the route presented significant hazards, with cloud ceilings dropping below 1,000 feet.
The investigation examined the pilot's experience and the aircraft's capabilities, noting that neither the pilot nor the aircraft were certified for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations. The analysis also reviewed the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, specifically the presence of low visibility and heavy cloud cover in the mountainous region.