What happened
On September 17, 1998, at approximately 16:46 BRT, two helicopters were conducting training operations within the traffic pattern at Jacarepaguá Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first aircraft, a Robinson R-22 (registration PT-YPS), was performing standard approaches to the grass area on the side of the runway. The second aircraft, a Bell 407 (registration PT-YLZ), was performing simulated autorotation training maneuvers.
During the final approach, the flight paths of the two aircraft intersected. The skids of the Bell 40 and7 struck the main rotor of the R-22. The impact caused the R-22 to crash uncontrollably, resulting in two fatalities among its occupants. The Bell 407 lost its landing gear during the collision but was able to perform a controlled landing on a soft surface; its two occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of maneuvers and the coordination between the aircraft and the air traffic control (ATC) tower. The investigation established that the air traffic controller had recently assumed duty and that the airport was experiencing heavy traffic with various aircraft types performing different mission profiles.
Investigators found that the Bell 407 was performing an autorotation maneuver that required a tighter turn radius, placing it closer to the runway than usual. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the pilot of the R-22 failed to report entering the final approach segment, which prevented other aircraft from being aware of its exact position. The investigation also noted that the ATC tower authorized the start of the Bell 407's autorotation while the R-22 was already established on its approach, creating a conflict in the established trajectories.
Findings
- Inadequate air traffic control by allowing the simultaneous execution of an autorotation maneuver and a standard approach, which caused the flight paths to intersect.
- Failure of the R-22 pilot to report entering the final approach segment, leading to a lack of situational awareness for other traffic.
- Deficient situational analysis by the Bell 407 crew, who incorrectly believed they had maintained separation from the aircraft ahead.
- Operational irregularities involving both operators, as pilots were acting in instructor capacities without the required flight instructor qualifications.
- Complex traffic environment at Jacarepaguá, where the simultaneous operation of different aircraft types using varying procedures made coordination difficult.