What happened
On December 2, 1995, an Embraer E 721C, registration PT-EKN, was performing a sightseeing flight near Altair, São Paulo. The aircraft had departed from a local road used as an improvised runway, a setup arranged between the pilot and local authorities due to the lack of a certified aerodrome in the area. The flight was carrying the pilot and 07 passengers, exceeding the aircraft's maximum capacity of 6.
During the final approach to the improvised runway, the aircraft's vertical stabilizer struck steel lightning protection cables located above high-voltage power lines. The impact caused a portion of the vertical stabilizer to separate from the airframe. Following the collision, the aircraft entered a left-hand turn and continued flying for approximately 7 km. During this period, the left wing struck a tree, leading to a high-angle, forceful impact with the ground. All 08 fatalities (the pilot and seven passengers) occurred at the scene, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed several significant regulatory and operational irregularities. The pilot was operating with both an expired medical certificate and an expired technical rating (CHT). Furthermore, the aircraft's maintenance logs were not up to date, although inspections were found to be current.
The investigation established that while the pilot was aware of the high-voltage lines and had even marked the runway boundaries with symbols to indicate their presence, he failed to account for the height of the steel lightning protection cables. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was registered under a private category (TPP), which prohibits remunerated services, yet the operation was being conducted as a scheduled sightseeing flight. The presence of local police at the makeshift runway suggested a level of local complicity in the irregular operation.
Findings
- Improper infrastructure: The use of an uncertified road as a runway lacked necessary aeronautical support and introduced significant obstacles into the approach path.
- Pilot error: The pilot underestimated the clearance required to pass over the lightning protection cables and failed to maintain adequate separation.
- Operational non-compliance: The pilot operated the aircraft with expired licenses and exceeded the maximum passenger capacity.
- Lack of oversight: The pilot's decision to operate in an unauthorized location with known hazards significantly increased the risk to the occupants.