What happened
On March 3, 2000, an EMB 810-C operated by SALT JAD Táxi Aéreo Ltda. was performing a scheduled mail transport flight from Porto Alegre to Pelotas, Brazil. The flight was conducted under IFR flight plan, but the crew encountered heavy Cumulonimbus clouds and turbulence along the route.
As the aircraft approached Pelotas, the crew descended from flight level 040 to 2,000 feet, transitioning from instrument to visual flight conditions. During the final approach to runway 24, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and struck high-voltage power lines. Following the collision, the pilot executed a forced landing on irregular terrain. The impact caused the aircraft to lose its right landing gear and nose section after striking termite mounds. The aircraft sustained severe damage and was considered a total loss.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight's operational history, the meteorological conditions, and the crew's physiological state. The investigation focused on why the crew abandoned the IFR approach procedure in favor of a visual approach despite the presence of heavy weather. Investigators also analyzed the impact dynamics and the aircraft's configuration, noting that the flaps were retracted at the time of the accident. The investigation considered two primary hypotheses: an improper descent below safety minimums while attempting to maintain visual contact with the runway, or the occurrence of a wind shear event caused by the nearby convective activity.
Findings
- The pilot suffered serious injuries, while the co-pilot sustained minor injuries.
- The crew's decision to descend to 2,000 feet and proceed visually was a significant contributing factor, as the prevailing weather conditions were unfavorable for VMC.
- Inadequate pilot rest due to interrupted sleep prior to the flight may have impaired judgment and reaction times.
- Operational pressure to complete the mail delivery on schedule likely influenced the decision to continue the flight despite deteriorating weather.
- The presence of heavy Cumulonimbus clouds created the potential for wind shear, which may have caused the sudden loss of altitude.