What happened
On June 15, 1996, at approximately 13:30, a SZD-48-1 glider, registration PT-PIQ, was conducting a flight for promotional photography purposes at the Araripe Macedo Aerodrome in Luziânia, Goiás. After takeoff, the pilot attempted to locate thermals without success. The pilot then proceeded to perform a series of maneuvers, including a loop and a cloverleaf pattern, at very low altitudes.
During the sequence, the pilot executed a low-level pass at approximately 3 meters above the ground. Following this, the aircraft entered a steep left-hand turn with an inclination of approximately 70 degrees. During this maneuver, the left wingtip, nose, and tail struck the ground, causing the aircraft to slide along the runway until it came to a complete stop. The aircraft sustained heavy damage to the fuselage, landing gear, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, elevator, wings, and left aileron.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that while the pilot held a valid medical certificate and a glider rating, they lacked the specific experience required for the mission and did not possess the Sport Pilot Certificate (CPD) necessary for aerobatic maneuvers. The investigation revealed that the pilot was in a state of euphoria, which led to a disregard for flight safety doctrines.
Furthermore, the investigation found that the Aeroclube de Brasília had authorized the pilot to perform these maneuvers despite the lack of proper certification. The pilot failed to perform a preliminary flight review or plan the final phase of the flight, specifically failing to calculate the minimum altitude required to safely execute a high-bank 360-degree turn based on the aircraft's performance characteristics.