What happened
On November 26, 2007, a Cessna 402, registration PT-WEH, departed from Campo de Marte, São Paulo, en route to Parati, Rio de Janeiro. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot identified a low oil level in the left engine. Following emergency procedures, the pilot shut down the left engine, feathered the propeller, and transitioned to a single-engine flight profile, diverting to São José dos Campos (SBSJ) to land.
During the approach to runway 15 at SBSJ, the pilot extended the landing gear and flaps. This configuration change caused a significant increase in the aircraft's sink rate. In an attempt to correct the descent, the pilot applied full power to the remaining right engine. This sudden application of power caused a sharp yaw and roll to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using rudder and aileron inputs, but these maneuvers further degraded the aircraft's aerodynamics. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground approximately 300 meters from the runway threshold, resulting in a post-impact fire. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the left engine assembly. The investigation revealed that the left engine had suffered an oil leak caused by fractures in the cylinder fifth through-bolts. This failure led to the axial displacement of the cylinder. Physical evidence at the crash site showed that the left propeller blades were twisted without signs of rotation, indicating the engine was not producing power at impact, while the right propeller had struck the ground with low power. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight experience, noting he had only 12 hours of flight time in this specific aircraft type.