What happened
On April 19, 1990, an EMB-810C operated by Arantes Táxi Aéreo Ltda. departed from a private landing strip at Fazenda Mazutte, Rondônia, bound for Fazenda Ilha das Flores. The flight was intended to transport food supplies. At the time of departure, heavy rain was reported. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, the pilot contacted the destination farm to inquire about local weather conditions, noting intense rainfall. No further radio contact was established.
Following the disappearance, a search operation lasted fourteen days but failed to locate the aircraft. The wreckage was not discovered until more than ten years later, when loggers stumbled upon the debris approximately 25 km northwest of Vilhena, Rondônia. The aircraft was completely destroyed, and the pilot died at the scene.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted years after the wreckage was found, established that the aircraft had been operating between unregistered and non-homologated landing strips. The aircraft was heavily loaded with cargo; estimates suggest the total weight, including full fuel tanks and 420 kg of supplies, likely exceeded the manufacturer's maximum takeoff weight.
Investigators noted several irregularities regarding the aircraft's maintenance and the pilot's credentials. The pilot, a Bolivian national, held valid licenses from Bolivia but had not completed the required validation process with the Brazilian Civil Aviation Department (DAC) to operate legally in Brazil. Furthermore, there were reports that the aircraft had undergone a gear-up landing just 20 days prior to the accident, with propeller repairs reportedly performed by an uncertified workshop. The investigation also found that the altimeter was stuck at 2,700 ft, while the local terrain elevation was approximately 2,200 ft, and the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) failed to function following the impact.
Findings
- Adverse weather conditions involving heavy rain and low cloud ceilings made VFR flight impossible.
- Deficient planning and judgment by the pilot, who attempted a visual flight in weather that required instrument procedures.
- Inadequate supervision by the operator, which allowed an unvalidated pilot to operate the aircraft from non-homologated strips.
- Flight indiscipline, including the use of unregistered aerodromes and operating without proper regulatory validation.
- Potential overweight conditions that may have compromised aircraft performance.
Safety action
Following the investigation, authorities directed regional aviation offices (SERAC) to intensify the homologation process for air taxi companies to ensure compliance with current regulations. Additionally, instructions were issued to increase inspections of aerodromes lacking civil aviation oversight to prevent irregular operations.