What happened
On February 12, 1998, a SENECA-II, registration PT-OLJ, was performing a visual flight from Rio Branco to Sena Madureira, Acre. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and five passengers. Upon arrival at Sena Madureira Aerodrome (SWSN), the pilot executed a standard visual traffic pattern for runway 18. To ensure the safety of pedestrians visible on the airfield, the pilot performed a low pass over the runway to alert them of the impending landing.
The landing itself was performed normally. However, during the landing rollout, the aircraft's left wing struck two women who were positioned near the runway. The individuals had been crouching in tall vegetation on the left side of the runway and stood up as the aircraft approached, making them invisible to the pilot until the moment of impact. The collision resulted in two fatalities. The pilot and the five passengers escaped the incident uninjured, though the aircraft sustained minor damage to the left wing leading edge and the left flap trailing edge.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational environment of the Sena Madureira Aerodrome. The investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified, with valid medical and technical certifications, and that the aircraft was in airworthy condition with up-to-date maintenance records. Meteorological conditions were favorable for VFR operations.
The investigation revealed significant deficiencies in the aerodrome's infrastructure. Although the airfield was officially approved for operations, it lacked adequate perimeter fencing or any form of isolation to prevent unauthorized access. The investigation noted that the local population used the runway area as a thoroughfare for pedestrians and vehicles. Furthermore, the presence of tall vegetation on the runway margins obscured the view of individuals near the pavement. It was also noted that previous safety inspections had identified these same risks, yet no corrective actions had been taken by the local authorities.