What happened
On January 19, 2022, a Beechcraft Baron 58, registration PR-JGV, was conducting a private transport flight from Campo Grande to Curitiba when the aircraft experienced a power loss in its left engine. The flight was carrying one pilot and five passengers.
As the aircraft was performing the approach to Bacacheri Aerodrome (SBBI), the pilot noticed a yaw to the left and interpreted the situation as a left engine flameout. In response, the pilot shut down the left engine and attempted a direct approach to runway 18. During this maneuver, the aircraft's altitude became insufficient to reach the runway threshold. The aircraft overflew the hangar area and landed on a grassy surface between taxiways, eventually crossing runway 18/3/6 and colliding with an embankment. The impact caused the nose and left main landing gear to detach, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. All six occupants emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the left engine and its control systems to determine the cause of the power loss. While the fuel, lubrication, and ignition systems were found to be functioning normally, investigators identified a fatigue failure in the throttle control cable. This rupture caused the pilot to lose control of the butterfly valve, preventing the engine from responding to throttle commands and leading the pilot to believe a flameout had occurred.
Further analysis of the cockpit controls and propeller positions revealed that the left engine had been feathered and shut down, while the right engine was at low power but not feathered. The investigation also noted that the pilot's attention may have been divided by multiple attempts to restart the engine in flight, which likely hindered the maintenance of a proper descent profile and airspeed.
Findings
- A fatigue failure in the throttle control cable (PN 102-389010-47) led to the loss of engine power control.
- The pilot's attention was likely divided due to repeated attempts to restart the engine, which prevented the maintenance of necessary flight parameters.
- The pilot did not report the emergency condition to air traffic control units.
- The aircraft's monthly utilization logbook entries were out of date.
- The aircraft was within its weight and balance limits and had a valid certificate of airworthiness.