What happened
On April 18, 1996, an EMB-711ST Corisco, registration PT-NZA, was performing a passenger flight from Nova Andradina, MS, to Guaíra, PR. Approximately twenty minutes into the flight, the pilot observed fluctuations in the fuel pressure. After attempting to switch tanks without success, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing at the Naviraí aerodrome in Mato Grosso do Sul.
Upon approaching Naviraí, the pilot opted for this runway over a previously considered alternative at a nearby plant because the Naviraí strip was paved and longer. However, the aircraft approached the runway at an angle and at an altitude significantly higher than standard traffic patterns. The pilot executed a direct final approach to runway 09, maintaining a high altitude and failing to perform a go-around or a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. The aircraft touched down near the opposite end of the runway, leaving insufficient distance to stop. The aircraft subsequently crossed the runway threshold, striking a perimeter fence, a small tree, and an empty fuel tank. The impact caused the aircraft to tilt 90 degrees on its longitudinal axis.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the aircraft's mechanical state. Investigators noted that the pilot had limited flight experience, with only 97 hours of total flight time and 23 hours in the EMB-711ST. While maintenance records for the aircraft were considered adequate, the investigation could not definitively determine the cause of the fuel pressure fluctuations because no tests were performed on the engine or fuel system following the accident. The investigation also noted that the pilot's flaps were found in the extended position, confirming that no go-around was attempted during the unstable approach.