Embraer’s KC-390 multi-role airlifter program suffered another significant setback on May 5, when the first prototype suffered a runway excursion during ground testing at the company’s flight test facility at Gavião Peixoto, Brazil.
The incident is the second to involve the first of two flight test prototype aircraft, which had only recently returned to service following an incident during icing trials last October. Last month it had participated in the Feria Internacional de Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) air show in Santiago, Chile.
This most recent incident occurred during ground testing at Gavião Peixoto and images show the aircraft in long grass well beyond the threshold of Gavião Peixoto’s 4,967 metre (16,295 ft) – long runway and close to the airport perimeter fence.
In a statement released to media immediately following the incident, Embraer said that the test crew were not injured and were able to deplane safely.
“The flight operations support team responded immediately and Embraer has already initiated an investigation into the causes of the incident,” the company said. “The incident was reported to the Brazilian Air Force’s aeronautical accidents investigation and prevention bureau (CENIPA).”
The earlier incident resulted in the aircraft being overstressed during the recovery manoeuvre after suddenly and unexpectedly stalling. Despite landing safely the aircraft was grounded for several months while inspections and repairs were carried out.
The KC-390 achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on 20 December 2017 and was planned to achieve Final Operational Capability (FOC) in the fourth quarter of this year, followed shortly afterwards by with the first delivery to the launch customer, the Brazilian Air Force. It is not yet known if this latest incident will have an impact on this schedule.