What happened
On January 28, 2019, a Piper PA-34-220T, registration PP-ART, was performing a private passenger flight from Porto Belo, SC, to São Paulo, SP. The flight had included an intermediate stop at Aeródromo Costa Esmeralda. While en route between the intermediate stop and the final destination, the pilot reported a sudden drop in the fuel indicators, which was immediately followed by the failure of both engines.
In response to the loss of power, the pilot executed a forced landing at the inactive Aeródromo ICA in Peruíbe, SP. The aircraft landed on a grass runway located in a mangrove area characterized by uneven terrain and dense surrounding vegetation. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, with the front and right side of the airframe becoming entangled in the vegetation. Despite the severity of the impact, the pilot and the three passengers were able to exit the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and the circumstances surrounding the fuel supply. While the aircraft held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, investigators found that the logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date and contained discrepancies when compared to the aircraft's flight log.
The investigation focused heavily on the possibility of fuel exhaustion or contamination. Although the pilot reported a drop in fuel levels prior to the engine failures, investigators could not verify the exact amount of fuel loaded at the previous stop, as there were no available fueling receipts and fuel suppliers could not confirm the transaction.
Physical examination of the aircraft was significantly hindered because the aircraft remained at the crash site for 24 days. During this period, the aircraft was exposed to rain and flooding in the mangrove area, leading to advanced corrosion and making electrical system testing impossible. However, the inspection of the fuel system revealed no ruptured lines, loose connections, or evidence of fuel leaks. Furthermore, analysis of the remaining fuel samples showed no evidence of water contamination.
Findings
- The pilot was properly licensed and held a valid medical certificate.
- The pilot had limited experience specifically with this aircraft model.
- The aircraft's maintenance logbooks were not properly updated.
- The exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined due to the inability to verify the amount of fuel loaded and the degraded state of the aircraft's electrical components following its long exposure to the elements.