What happened
On the evening of March 23, 1995, a Cessna 210W, registration PT-OBV, departed from the Guararapes Aerodrome in São Paulo for a routine maintenance check flight. The pilot intended to verify the aircraft's condition ahead of a scheduled trip. During the takeoff, the pilot utilized a non-homologated section of the runway, approximately 50 and 500 meters in length.
After completing ground checks and a brief low-level flight over the local area, the pilot returned to the airfield to perform a low pass. While positioned over the middle of the runway, the pilot initiated a slight pitch-up followed by a right-hand wingover maneuver. During the inverted phase of the maneuver, the aircraft lost altitude. The pilot failed to correct the descent, causing the left wing to strike the ground. The nose of the aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain, leading to a rollover and a post-crash explosion. The pilot sustained fatal injuries at the scene, and the aircraft was a total loss.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's psychological state and operational decisions. Investigators established that while the pilot was experienced with this specific aircraft, he was not authorized or qualified to perform aerobatic maneuvers. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not certified for the aerobatic category.
Witnesses present at the airfield, many of whom were familiar with aerobatics, observed the flight. The investigation examined the pilot's recent history of performing unauthorized maneuvers at higher altitudes, which had fostered a sense of misplaced confidence. Furthermore, the lack of firefighting equipment at the aerodrome was identified as a factor that hindered emergency response efforts following the post-impact fire.