Investigation Summary
The flight was a private transport mission intended to take members of the Palmas football team to Goiânia for a match against Vila Nova. The aircraft took off from the Associação Tocantinense de Aviação (ATA) runway. According to the CENIPA final report (A-011/CENIPA/2021), the aircraft was loaded approximately 300 kg (660 lb) over its maximum takeoff weight, with a center of gravity (CG) roughly 2 inches beyond the aft limit. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft lifted off, pitched up, and touched down briefly again on the runway. It lifted off a second time, at which point the pilot retracted the landing gear. This retraction caused the CG to shift even further aft, exacerbating the stall condition. The aircraft crashed 150 meters past the end of the runway in a wings-level attitude and was consumed by a post-crash fire.
Final Conclusions
The investigation by CENIPA (A-011/CENIPA/2021) examined the circumstances of the crash, focusing on the aircraft's performance during the initial climb phase. The report identified that the aircraft failed to maintain altitude shortly after lifting off from the runway, leading to an impact with terrain and a subsequent post-crash fire. The investigation highlighted the importance of adhering to weight and balance limitations and proper takeoff procedures for the aircraft type.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Weight and Balance
The distribution of mass within the aircraft. An aft center of gravity makes the aircraft pitch-up prone and unstable, increasing the risk of a stall during takeoff.
Aerodynamic Stall
A condition where the angle of attack increases beyond a critical point, causing a sudden loss of lift. At low altitudes, recovery is often impossible.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a twin-engine Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron manufactured in 1982.
- 02The victims included the president of Palmas FR, Lucas Meira, and four players: Lucas Praxedes, Guilherme Noé, Ranule, and Marcus Molinari.
- 03The aircraft was not authorized for commercial air taxi operations; it was a private flight.
- 04The crash occurred just one day after the players had tested positive for COVID-19, which is why they were traveling separately from the rest of the team.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Weight and Balance Awareness
CENIPA emphasized the critical importance of calculating actual weight and balance rather than relying on estimates, especially in light twin-engine aircraft.