What happened
On July 3, 2009, an EMB-810C, registration PT-RFU, operated by Heringer Táxi-Aéreo Ltda., departed from the Imperatriz Aerodrome (SBIZ) in Maranhão, Brazil, bound for Belém, Pará. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a loss of power in one of its engines. The pilot was unable to maintain flight and performed a forced landing in an uninhabited area approximately 90 and meters from the runway threshold.
The impact with the ground first involved the left wingtip and the left propeller assembly, causing them to detach. The aircraft then veered left and slid 23 meters into a thicket of bushes. During the sequence, the left wing and right propeller were completely lost, the fuselage twisted, and all onboard fuel leaked. Both pilots sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft suffered severe damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the aircraft's weight and balance, engine configuration, and operational procedures. Investigators found that the aircraft was operating significantly overweight; specifically, it was 38 kg above the maximum zero-fuel weight and 161 kg above the maximum landing weight. Discrepancies were also noted in the fuel weight records between the initial flight leg and the second leg.
Upon examining the wreckage, investigators discovered that the left engine's magneto switch was in the "off" position. Additionally, the left fuel tank selector was set to "crossfeed" and the right main tank selector was set to "on." The investigation also noted that the propellers were still rotating at the time of impact and had not been feathered for the emergency landing.
Findings
- Overweight operation: The aircraft exceeded both maximum zero-fuel weight and maximum landing weight limits.
- Pilot error: The pilot may have inadvertently left the left engine magneto switch in the "off" position following pre-takeoff checks.
- Inadequate training: The emergency procedures executed by the crew suggested a possible lack of adequate instruction regarding engine failure management.
- Management and planning failures: Inaccuracies in fuel weight recording, inadequate flight planning regarding weight limits, and insufficient management oversight regarding weight and balance verification.