What happened
On January 2, 2000, a CAP 4 aircraft, registration PT-LQT, was performing a local daytime flight at the Capão da Canoa Aerodrome (SSKK) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The mission involved towing an advertising banner along the coastline, a maneuver locally known as "fishing" (pescaria), which requires the pilot to fly at low altitudes to hook the banner onto the aircraft.
The pilot attempted to engage the banner three times without success. Following the third failed attempt, the pilot executed an aggressive left-hand turn accompanied by a significant increase in pitch. This maneuver placed the aircraft in a tailwind condition, leading to an aerodynamic stall at a very low altitude. The aircraft subsequently collided violently with the ground. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital in a coma. The aircraft was destroyed beyond economic repair.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed several critical irregularities regarding both the pilot and the aircraft. The pilot, while having 25 years of experience, had accumulated only 1,200 total flight hours, representing a very low annual flight frequency. Furthermore, there was no formal record of theoretical or practical training specifically for advertising banner towing.
Regarding the aircraft, investigators found that the pilot had failed to record flight hours in the logs following a 100-hour inspection. The investigation also identified the use of non-aviation components, including an automotive battery and automotive seatbelts/harnesses. The failure of these non-certified automotive belts during the impact significantly exacerbated the pilot's injuries.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning: The pilot failed to account for wind direction and intensity, performing recovery turns into a tailwind.
- Improper control inputs: The execution of an aggressive turn and pitch maneuver led to the aerodynamic stall.
- Lack of specific training: There was no formal training program or specific regulatory requirement for banner towing at the time, contributing to operational errors.
- Inadequate maintenance and equipment: The use of non-certified automotive parts and the lack of updated flight logs contributed to safety risks.
- Human factors: The pilot's psychological profile and previous history of non-compliance with aviation regulations were noted as contributing factors to the decision-making process.