What happened
On December 18, 2001, an Embraer 711T, registration PT-RIR, departed from Rio Claro, São Paulo, for a mission to distribute advertising leaflets over the city of Piracicaba. While flying at a very low altitude over the Serra Verde neighborhood, the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer struck high-voltage power lines. The impact caused the loss of the right horizontal stabilizer and the elevator, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently struck telephone lines and impacted a central median on an avenue at a 6/60-degree dive angle, resulting in an explosion. The pilot and one passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, sustained fatal injuries at the scene. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and determined that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact, based on propeller blade analysis and engine component condition. The investigation revealed that the pilot, while holding a valid private pilot license and medical certificate, lacked the necessary experience for the specific type of low-altitude flight being performed. Notably, the investigation found that the aircraft's registration had been intentionally altered from PT-RIR to PT-RIP using white adhesive tape to evade inspection. Furthermore, the pilot had failed to file a flight plan or flight notification. The investigation also noted that the activity of leaflet dropping is prohibited under Brazilian aviation regulations (RBHA 91).
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning: The pilot failed to assess obstacles such as power lines and towers along the flight path.
- Poor judgment and lack of experience: The pilot attempted a high-risk, low-altitude maneuver without the training or proficiency required for such operations.
- Regulatory non-compliance: The flight involved prohibited advertising activities and a lack of flight plan filing.
- Intentional deception: The alteration of the aircraft registration demonstrated a conscious effort to bypass regulatory oversight.
- Operational indiscipline: The flight was conducted at an unsafe altitude over a populated area.