Engine failure leads to emergency landing in Passo Fundo, Brazil

Casualties unknown • PASSO FUNDO, RS, BR

An AA-155 ultralight aircraft experienced an engine power loss during a local flight, resulting in an emergency landing in a soybean field.

What happened

On February 14, 2018, an AA-155 ultralight aircraft, registration PU-EAP, departed from the Passo Fundo Aeroclube (SSAQ) in Rio Grande do Sul for a local flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing through 1,200 feet, the engine experienced a significant drop in RPM. The pilot attempted to follow emergency procedures to restore power but was unsuccessful. Approximately five minutes after the engine failure, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a soybean field located about 4.5 NM from the departure airfield. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, both occupants emerged from the crash uninjured.

The investigation

The investigation conducted by SERIPA V examined the mechanical and operational aspects of the occurrence. The pilot was found to be properly licensed with a valid medical certificate and sufficient experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft's documentation, including its experimental certificate and flight authorization, was up to date, and the annual maintenance inspection was current.

Investigators focused on the engine and fuel quality. The aircraft was equipped with a JABIRU 2200 engine, which lacked formal certification of design, production, or airworthiness from the Civil Aviation Authority. This lack of certification prevented investigators from performing a deep technical analysis of the engine's manufacturing or material integrity. Additionally, while the aircraft's flight manual recommended the use of Avgas 100LL or 100/130, the aircraft had been fueled with additive-enhanced automotive gasoline. The investigation noted that the lack of quality control in the automotive fuel sector could lead to fuel that does not meet required specifications, potentially causing power loss.

Findings

  • The engine experienced a loss of power during the climb phase.
  • The aircraft was utilizing automotive gasoline instead of the Avgas recommended in the flight manual.
  • The JABIRU 2200 engine lacked official airworthiness certification, limiting the technical scope of the investigation.
  • The pilot and passenger were uninjured during the emergency landing.

Probable cause

The investigation could not definitively determine the cause due to the lack of engine certification, though the use of non-standard automotive gasoline was identified as a potential factor in the power loss.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2018-02-14 aircraft accident near PASSO FUNDO, RS, BR?

An AA-155 ultralight aircraft experienced an engine power loss during a local flight, resulting in an emergency landing in a soybean field.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-02-14 involved a aircraft, registration PUEAP, at PASSO FUNDO, RS, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The investigation could not definitively determine the cause due to the lack of engine certification, though the use of non-standard automotive gasoline was identified as a potential factor in the power loss.

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