What happened
On March 18, 2001, a Cessna C-172B, registration PT-BJL, was performing an aerial advertising mission at the Aeroclube de Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil. The operation utilized a method known as "fishing," where the aircraft flies at a low altitude to capture a banner using a trailing hook and rope. Two ground assistants were positioned near the flight path, holding aluminum poles to guide the aircraft.
During the approach, the hook attached to the aircraft's rope struck the ground. The impact caused the hook to ricochet, striking the chest of one of the assistants, who was the owner of the operating company. The force of the impact projected the individual five meters, resulting in one fatality.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed that the operation was being conducted with inadequate equipment. The poles being used were only 3 meters long, whereas the standard length should have been 5 meters. This discrepancy forced the pilot to fly at an unsafely low altitude to maintain visual contact with the assistants, which directly led to the hook striking the ground. The investigation also noted that the hook hitting the ground had been a frequent occurrence in recent days.
Furthermore, the investigation found that the ground crew member had moved toward the path of the hook to facilitate the capture, demonstrating a lack of safety training. The pilot, while qualified, had limited experience in this specific aircraft type and was performing operations with insufficient support infrastructure.
Findings
- Inadequate equipment: The use of undersized poles forced the aircraft into a dangerously low flight profile.
- Organizational failure: The company utilized a high-risk manual procedure instead of a safer radio-controlled method.
- Lack of trained personnel: The ground crew lacked proper training, evidenced by the assistant's decision to move into the aircraft's path.
- Deficient supervision: The company allowed frequent ground strikes to occur without modifying the operational procedure or upgrading equipment.
- Operational risk: The presence of personnel in the immediate vicinity of the hook's path significantly increased the risk of injury.