What happened
On December 23, 1992, an EMB-720D, registration PT-RIB, was performing a scheduled flight from Eirunepé, Amazonas, to Feijó, Acre. Prior to landing, the pilot conducted a low pass over the runway to alert the local population of the impending arrival.
Following the touchdown, the aircraft proceeded down the runway. Approximately 400 meters into the landing roll, the aircraft struck a pedestrian crossing the runway. The impact occurred at the left wing root. Although the pilot attempted an evasive maneuver to the right, the collision was unavoidable. The pedestrian, a child, succumbed to injuries while in transit to the hospital.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational environment of the Feijost runway (SWFJ). The investigation established that while the aircraft was fully airworthy and the pilot was properly licensed and experienced, the airfield infrastructure presented significant risks.
At the time of the accident, the airfield's access control point was unstaffed. Although a guardhouse exists to regulate the crossing of vehicles and pedestrians via a street that intersects the runway, the personnel responsible for this duty end their shifts at 17:00. Because the accident occurred at 17:10, the runway was effectively open to unrestricted access. Furthermore, the investigation found a total lack of signage to warn pedestrians or motorists of the dangers associated with crossing the active runway, and no alternative routes were provided to bypass the intersection.
Findings
- Deficient infrastructure was the primary contributing factor, specifically the lack of perimeter fencing and the absence of warning signs for the runway crossing.
- The absence of personnel at the access gate after 17:00 allowed uncontrolled access to the runway area.
- The lack of alternative access roads for local traffic increased the likelihood of unauthorized runway incursions.