Crash of a Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 in Fazenda Fortaleza de Santa Terezinha: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 2018 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-OEG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte - Fazenda Fortaleza de Santa Terezinha
MSN:
525-0849
YOM:
2014
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
522.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Belo Horizonte-Pampulha-Carlos Drummond de Andrade to the Fortaleza de Santa Terezinha Farm (Fazenda Fortaleza de Santa Terezinha) located in Várzea da Palma, Jequitaí, Minas Gerais. On board were three passengers and one pilot. On final approach to runway 20, during the last segment, the airplane collided with a metallic water irrigation system. The pilot initiated a go around procedure when he lost control of the airplane that veered to the left, impacted the ground and crashed in a field located to the left of the runway, about 600 metres from the initial impact, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all four occupants were killed, among them Mr. Adolfo Geo, owner of the Brazilian group ARG Ltd active in food, oil and construction. He was accompanied by his wife Margarida Janete Geo.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- Airport infrastructure – a contributor.
It was found that the irrigation pivot, at the point where the collision took place, was impairing the gauge of the approach surface as described in Ordinance 957/GC3, of 09JUL2015, which provided for restrictions on objects projected into the airspace that could adversely affect the safety or regularity of air operations.
- Piloting judgment – a contributor.
The final approach was carried out below the ideal approach ramp, allowing the collision against the pivot, located in the alignment of the runway.
- Perception – undetermined.
It is possible that the PIC, when approaching for the landing, did not notice the irrigation pivot and, therefore, collided with the obstacle.
- Flight planning – a contributor.
There was no prior coordination with the farm employees, in a timely manner so that the irrigation pivot could be repositioned to a safe location in relation to the flight trajectory on the final landing approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-53C in La Paz

Date & Time: Nov 22, 2018 at 1013 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-2041-P
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lima – Cuzco – La Paz
MSN:
24825/1894
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
P9331
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
122
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Lima on a schedule service to La Paz with an intermediate stop in Cuzco, carrying 122 passengers and a crew of five. Following an uneventful flight from Cuzco-Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, the crew completed the approach to La Paz-El Alto Airport. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure when both main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid on its belly for few dozen metres before coming to rest on runway 10. All 127 occupants evacuated safely and no one was injured. It was reported that the touchdown was considered as normal. The airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 757-23N in Georgetown: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 2018 at 0253 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N524AT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Georgetown – Toronto
MSN:
30233/895
YOM:
1999
Flight number:
OJ256
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
120
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Georgetown-Cheddi Jagan Airport at 0209LT on an international schedule flight to Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson Airport, carrying 120 passengers (118 adults and two children) and 8 crew members. At 0222LT, while climbing to 21,000 feet, the crew encountered technical problems with the hydraulic systems and was cleared to return. The captain made a 180 turn and followed a circuit and a holding pattern to burn fuel until he started the final approach to runway 06. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure but the airplane was apparently unable to stop within the remaining distance. Approaching the end of the runway, the aircraft veered to the right, lost its right main gear and came to rest in a sandy area with the right engine torn off and the right wing severely damaged. All 128 occupants evacuated, among them six were injured. One week later, on November 16, a 86 year old woman died from her injuries (fractured skull).

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Santa Cruz

Date & Time: Oct 28, 2018 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5224J
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Manaus
MSN:
340A-1035
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a humanitarian flight from Bolivia to Brazil, carrying one passenger and a pilot. Shortly after takeoff from a little private airstrip located in the suburb of Santa Cruz, the crew was supposed to land at Santa Cruz-Viru Viru International Airport before continuing to Manaus, Brazil. After takeoff, the pilot encountered engine problems (power issue) and decided to return for an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and belly landed in a grassy area located in Barrio Lindo. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2T near Urimán

Date & Time: Oct 1, 2018 at 1415 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
YV1719
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Elena de Uairén – Urimán
MSN:
1G240-32
YOM:
1991
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Santa Elena de Uairén on a flight to Urimán. En route, the engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in a prairie located 42 km southeast of Urimán Airport. The airplane rolled for few dozen metres and eventually collided with trees and came to rest in a wooded area. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Both pilots were recovered by the crew of an helicopter two days after the accident.

Crash of a Honda HA-420 HondaJet in Foz do Iguaçu

Date & Time: Sep 24, 2018 at 1342 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PR-TLZ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Curitiba – Foz do Iguaçu
MSN:
420-00068
YOM:
2017
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5600
Captain / Total hours on type:
77.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
660
Copilot / Total hours on type:
14
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Curitiba-Afonso Pena Airport at 1240LT on an executive flight to Foz do Iguaçu, carrying one passenger and two pilots. Following an uneventful flight, the crew started the descent to Foz do Iguaçu-Cataratas Airport. The aircraft was stabilized and landed on wet runway 32. After touchdown, the crew encountered difficulties to stop the aircraft that overran and came to rest into a ravine. All three occupants evacued safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The approach was considered stabilized;
- The required landing distance of 6,431t (1,960m) was compatible for the operation, since the LDA of runway 32 at SBFI was 7,201ft (2,195m);
- There was no evidence of malfunction of the aircraft brake system that could have caused the runway excursion;
- At the time of landing, the runway was wet with a significant amount of water on the pavement;
- The estimated deceleration corresponded to what would be expected on a very wet runway (> 3mm of water) with hydroplaning of the tires at higher speeds;
- The friction and macrotexture measurements had normal parameters and did not contribute to the aircraft's poor deceleration;
- The characteristics of the precipitation over threshold 14 associated with the large variations in wind direction and intensity were consistent with the windshear phenomenon, resulting from a microburst;
- The PR-TLZ sensors did not detect the occurrence of windshear during the landing approach;
- A sudden increase in the calibrated speed that peaked at 32kt altered the aircraft's lift and, consequently, reduced the tires' grip on the ground, resulting in poor braking in the parts where the ground speed was lower;
- The speedbrakes were not extended during the run after landing, contrary to what was prevised in the AFM;
- The aircraft ran the full length of the runway, overpassed its limits and crashed into a ravine;
- There was a windshear alert issued about 30 seconds after the landing of the PRTLZ by an aircraft that was at the threshold 32;
- The aircraft had substantial damage; and
- The crewmembers and the passenger left unharmed.
Contributing factors:
- Control skills – undetermined
Despite the low contribution of the speedbrakes to the reduction of the landing distance, this device represents a deceleration resource through aerodynamic drag that should not be neglected, especially during landing on wet runways, and could have contributed to avoiding runway excursion.
- Adverse meteorological conditions – a contributor
The large variation in wind intensity peaked at 32 kt. This variation lasted 13 seconds and raised the indicated speed from 76 kt to 108 kt. Considering that the speed of 108 kt was very close to the VREF (111 KCAS), it can be stated that this phenomenon altered the aircraft's lift and, consequently, reduced the tires' grip on the ground, leading to poor braking.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90B King Air in Ipumirim: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 2018 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PR-RFB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Florianópolis – Chapecó
MSN:
LJ-1546
YOM:
1999
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz Airport at 1100LT on a flight to Chapecó. Following an uneventful flight, the pilot initiated the descent to Chapecó-Serafim Enoss Bertasco Airport but encountered marginal weather conditions with limited visibility. While descending under VFR mode, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located in Ipumirim, some 50 km east of Chapecó Airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot, sole occupant, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
Contributing factors.
- Attitude - contributed
The fact that the pilot continued the descent visually, not performing the instrument approach according to the IFR flight plan, denoted disregard of the real risks of this action. Thus, his attitude contributed to the inappropriate approach that culminated in the collision with the ground.
- Adverse weather conditions - contributed
Despite the aerodrome presenting ceiling and visibility conditions favorable for visual flight at the time of the accident, it was verified that there was dense fog covering the entire region near the impact site and, therefore, the IFR rules, which determined a minimum altitude of 5,000 ft, should have been observed.
- Emotional state - undetermined
Some events in the pilot's personal life were negatively affecting his emotional state. In addition, the pilot appeared to be more introspective in the period leading up to the accident.
Thus, it is possible that his performance was impaired due to his emotional state.
- External influences - undetermined
The pilot was possibly experiencing difficult events in his personal life. These events could have negatively affected his emotional state.
Thus, the pilot's way of thinking, reacting and performance at work may have been impacted by factors external to work.
- Motivation - undetermined
The pilot intended to return home because he would be celebrating his birthday and that of his stepdaughter.
The audio recording of the pilot's telephony with the GND-FL, shows that he insisted to accelerate his take-off, denoting a possible high motivation focused on fulfilling his eagerness to accomplish the flight. This condition may have influenced the flight performance.
- Decision making process - contributed
The choice to continue the descent without considering the IFR rules, based on an inadequate judgment of the meteorological conditions, revealed the pilot's difficulties to perceive, analyze, choose alternatives and act adequately in that situation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Itapaci

Date & Time: Sep 6, 2018 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LJN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goiânia – Ceres
MSN:
B-121
YOM:
1972
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Goiânia-Santa Genoveva Airport at 0810LT on a charter flight to Ceres, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. En route, it was decided to change the itinerary and to land in Itapaci where there was no suitable terrain for landing. On final approach, the aircraft impacted ground, lost its undercarriage and veered to the right. It collided with a fence and made a 180 turn before coming to rest. All 10 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. On board was the candidate for governor of the state of Goiás and his campaign team.
Probable cause:
The pilot intentionally changed his routing for Itapaci where the landing zone was not approved for flight operations. During the landing, the plane struck the ground before the planned zone and crashed. The pilot violated the rules established by the authority.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90GTi King Air in Vila Rica

Date & Time: Sep 5, 2018 at 1120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PR-GVJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte – Confresa
MSN:
LJ-2145
YOM:
2017
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Belo Horizonte-Pampulha-Carlos Drummond de Andrade Airport at 0820LT on a private flight to Confresa, carrying five passenger and one pilot. While descending to Confresa, the pilot decided to fly directly to the farm of the owner (Fazenda Angola) located in Vila Rica, about 80 km northeast of Confresa Airport. On final approach, the aircraft was too low when it struck the surface of a lake then its bank. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft crash landed and came to rest on its belly. There was no fire. All six occupants were injured, one seriously. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot descended too low on approach to an umprepared terrain.
Contributing Factors:
- Attitude,
- Command application,
- Pilot judgment,
- Decision making process,
- Lack of adherence to regulations established by the authority of Brazilian civil aviation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90GTi King Air in Campo de Marte: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 2018 at 1810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SZN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Videira – Campo de Marte
MSN:
LJ-1910
YOM:
2008
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While approaching Campo de Marte Airport by night following an uneventful flight from Videira, the crew encountered technical problems with the landing gear and was cleared to complete two low passes over the runway to confirm visually the problem. While performing a third approach, the twin engine airplane rolled to the left then overturned and crashed inverted about 100 metres to the left of runway 30, bursting into flames. Six occupants were injured and one pilot was killed.