What happened
On September 24, 1999, a Cessna 210N, registered as PT-OHC, was performing a short flight from Barreiras to a private farmstead (SNBB) in Bahia, Brazil. The flight, operated by BELAP Agropecuária S.A., carried four occupants, including the pilot and three passengers.
During the approach to the gravel runway, the pilot observed heavy precipitation and significant wind activity near the airfield. After performing a low pass to check the wind direction via the windsock, the pilot began the landing sequence. The pilot utilized a non-standard traffic pattern, extending the downwind leg to show the farm's landmarks to the passengers. This maneuver resulted in an unstable approach below the ideal glidepath.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a float. A strong crosswind gust lifted the right wing, causing the left wingtip to strike the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate on its lateral axis, eventually coming to rest upside down (on its back) on the side of the runway. The aircraft sustained severe damage to its structure and engine, but all four occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's flight maneuvers and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which were found to be up to date, and the pilot's flight experience. The investigation noted that while the pilot was qualified for visual flight, he lacked an IFR rating.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's configuration, finding the flaps were set to 30 degrees. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's statements, which revealed that a relaxed atmosphere in the cabin, driven by the pilot's desire to show the farm to his guests, led to a significant lapse in concentration during the critical landing phase.