What happened
On April 3, 1996, an Embraer 710C, registration PT-NKD, was performing a cargo flight from a mining airstrip in Patrocínio, Pará, to the Progresso airstrip. During the final approach to the unregistered and critical landing strip in Progresso, the pilot initiated a go-around. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a steep left bank without gaining sufficient altitude. The left wingtip struck the ground, causing the aircraft to lose control and collide with high-voltage power lines located beside the runway. The aircraft was destroyed, and the single fatality was the pilot.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed a complete lack of regulatory compliance regarding both the crew and the aircraft. The investigation established that the pilot held no valid pilot license, no technical flight training, and no medical certificate. Furthermore, the pilot had received flight instruction only from other unqualified pilots and had no theoretical training.
Regarding the aircraft, the investigation found that the airworthiness certificate had been canceled because the annual inspection had been expired for more than two years. Maintenance was performed by the aircraft owner, who lacked the necessary technical qualifications to act as an aircraft mechanic. The operation took place at an unregistered, irregular airstrip used for mining activities, where oversight is difficult.
Findings
- Lack of pilot qualification: The pilot was entirely unlicensed and lacked the necessary medical and technical training for flight operations.
- Inadequate flight instruction: The pilot's training was provided by unqualified individuals and lacked a theoretical foundation.
- Unairworthy aircraft: The Embraer 710C was operating with a canceled airworthiness certificate due to expired inspections.
- Improper maintenance: Maintenance was conducted by an unauthorized individual without technical certification.
- Deficient infrastructure: The landing strip was unregistered and presented critical operational challenges.
- Inadequate supervision: The aircraft owner permitted an unqualified individual to operate the aircraft and allowed the use of an unairworthy aircraft on an irregular strip.
- Insufficient experience: The pilot had only approximately 40 hours of total flight time, with only 10 hours in this specific model.