What happened
On September 8, 2008, a 56-C-1 aircraft, registration PP-HMS, was conducting a training flight departing from Itápolis, Brazil. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, was intended to be a closed circuit for training purposes. After approximately 40 minutes of flight, while overflying the town of Când and Rodrigues, the engine failed.
The pilot attempted to restore engine power and performed various checks on the fuel selector, magnetos, and fuel mixture. After failing to stabilize the engine, the pilot identified a nearby rural road as a potential landing site. During the approach to the road, the pilot encountered trees obstructing the ideal glide path. In an attempt to clear the obstacles, the pilot executed a sharp maneuver that resulted in an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground, causing the landing gear to collapse and the propeller to sustain damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the pilot's decision-making during the emergency. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance logs and found discrepancies in the recording of total flight hours versus hours since the last overhaul. The investigation also noted that the pilot had performed a fuel selector adjustment (switching from 'off' to 'both' and back to 'off') that was typically reserved for long-duration flights, which could have potentially disrupted fuel flow.
Regarding the engine failure itself, investigators considered two hypotheses: a fuel flow issue caused by the selector adjustment or a carburetor failure. However, a definitive conclusion regarding the engine failure could not be reached because the carburetor had been sent to the United States for repair before it could be examined by the investigation commission.
Findings
- The pilot was a qualified private pilot but had limited flight experience.
- The aircraft sustained severe damage to the airframe, propeller, engine, and landing gear.
- The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries.
- The pilot's judgment during the emergency contributed to the accident, as the focus on emergency procedures led to a failure to monitor altitude, resulting in a forced landing in an area with obstacles.
- The pilot's flight planning contributed to the event, as the flight path violated established altitude regulations for flying over populated areas.
- Inaccurate maintenance log entries and a lack of adequate supervision by the flight school administration were identified as contributing factors.