What happened
On September 18, 1998, an EMB-711 (Corisco), registration PT-NQG, crashed shortly after departing from the Jauru aerodrome in Mato Grosso. The aircraft was performing a flight from Cuiabá to Jauru for political campaign purposes. On board were the pilot, the aircraft owner, a political figure, and an assessor, along with a large quantity of campaign materials.
After taking off from runway 20, the aircraft entered a left turn and began losing altitude. The aircraft struck the ground perpendicularly to the runway axis, approximately 1,500 meters from the takeoff point, and immediately caught fire. The impact was severe, with the aircraft striking the terrain in a stalled attitude. The crash resulted in three fatalities, while the assessor was the sole survivor, sustaining serious injuries.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation established that the aircraft was significantly overloaded, weighing approximately 145 kg above its maximum takeoff weight. Furthermore, the distribution of the load—which included heavy campaign materials and passengers—shifted the center of gravity (CG) to 2.4m, exceeding the aft limit of 2.32m.
The investigation also noted that the pilot was operating with expired medical and technical certificates. While the engine was found to be in good working order prior to impact, environmental factors played a significant role. The takeoff occurred on an uncertified grass strip with a steep 5% upward gradient. High temperatures (above 30°C) and strong, variable winds (15 knots) created turbulent conditions and reduced engine performance due to decreased air density.
Findings
- Overweight and Imbalance: The aircraft was operating well beyond its maximum takeoff weight with an unsafe aft center of gravity.
- Pilot Error and Decision Making: The pilot chose to take off up the slope (uphill) despite previous advice to take off downhill, and failed to perform necessary weight and balance calculations.
- Human Factors: The pilot exhibited excessive confidence, likely influenced by previous survival of engine-failure accidents and experience operating in marginal conditions. There was also potential psychological pressure from the aircraft owner to transport the full load of campaign materials.
- Environmental Conditions: High temperatures, orographic turbulence, and the steep gradient of the uncertified runway contributed to the loss of control.
- Regulatory Non-compliance: The pilot was flying with expired medical and technical certificates and was engaged in unauthorized air taxi operations.