What happened
On February 23, 2022, a Mooney M20F, registration PT-DKK, was performing a ferry flight from the Airport of Balsas (SNBS) to Barreiras (SNBR) when it experienced a sudden loss of power shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying a pilot and one passenger, was flying under a Special Flight Authorization (AEV) intended for repositioning the aircraft to a maintenance facility.
At an altitude of approximately 500 feet AGL, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The aircraft subsequently glided into a residential area, colliding with the roofs of several houses. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft's structure and the impact on the buildings, both occupants survived the accident without injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the mechanical failure and the regulatory status of the flight. Investigators examined the fuel system and found that the engine's performance had been compromised by incorrect connections in the fuel distributor and insufficient flow from the injection nozzles.
Technical analysis of the fuel servo injector revealed an internal obstruction caused by contamination from water and solid waste. The investigation also scrutinized the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the airworthiness certificate had expired in August 2019. Records indicated that the aircraft's logbooks were significantly out of date, with the last major entry for the airframe dating back to 2013, despite a 2018 inspection being recorded.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was an obstruction in the fuel servo injector due to contamination.
- Ineffective storage of the engine and its components likely allowed the accumulation of residues that led to the blockage.
- The pilot was not qualified for the specific flight type, as they lacked the required recent experience in the aircraft category.
- The aircraft was not in an airworthy condition, as its airworthiness validity had expired.
- The ferry flight was in violation of the Special Flight Authorization (AEV) because a passenger was on board, whereas the authorization prohibited the transport of passengers or cargo.
- Faulty maintenance procedures were identified, including incorrect component installation and inadequate monitoring of flight hours and maintenance intervals.