What happened
On January 15, 1994, a Cessna 177, registration PT-DEY, was performing local flight operations at the Vale Eldorado aerodrome in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo. Following a previous flight, the pilot permitted three additional passengers to board the aircraft. The aircraft utilized the full length of the runway for takeoff. Immediately after leaving the ground, the aircraft maintained an excessive pitch attitude.
Approximately 1,500 meters after takeoff, the aircraft entered a left turn, lost lift, and struck the tip of its left wing against medium-sized vegetation on a hilltop. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate left and strike the ground, subsequently catching fire due to an electrical short circuit in the instrument panel. The accident resulted in two fatalities, including the pilot, and two injuries (one serious and one minor) among the passengers.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational and human factors surrounding the takeoff. Investigators established that the aircraft had recently refueled in Atibaia, meaning the tanks were full at the time of departure. The investigation examined the aircraft's performance capabilities relative to the airfield's altitude of 2,707 feet and the ambient temperature of 28°C.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's background, noting that while the pilot held a valid private pilot license, he had limited experience with this specific model, with only 50 hours in the Cessna 177. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the pilot's psychological profile and operational decision-making regarding weight and balance limits.