What happened
On February 13, 2019, at 14:20 UTC, a Cessna 210L, registration PT-JIC, departed from Brigadeiro Protásio de Oliveira Aerodrome (SBJC) bound for Belém International Airport (SBBE). The flight was intended as a repositioning flight for refueling. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
While operating in the traffic pattern at SBBE, the pilot declared an emergency. The aircraft lost altitude and subsequently collided with the roofs of two residences and an additional structure. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft. The passenger sustained fatal injuries, while the pilot suffered serious injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the aircraft's operational status and the circumstances leading to the loss of engine power. Investigators found that the aircraft's fuel tanks and engine components were empty at the time of the crash, confirming a fuel starvation event.
During the inspection of the aircraft's records, several discrepancies were identified. While the Certificate of Airworthiness and the Annual Maintenance Inspection were both valid, the logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date. Additionally, the pilot was operating with an expired single-engine land rating (MNTE) since August 2017 and an expired medical certificate (CMA) since October 2016.
Regarding the fuel shortage, it was noted that at the time of departure, there was a lack of available fuel from authorized suppliers at the departure aerodrome. During pre-flight inspections, the occupants estimated approximately 20 liters of fuel remained in each wing tank.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was fuel starvation.
- The pilot failed to comply with minimum VFR fuel requirements, which mandate sufficient fuel to reach the destination plus a 30-minute reserve.
- The pilot was operating with an expired medical certificate and an expired pilot rating.
- Maintenance logbooks and aircraft flight logs were not properly updated.
- There was a lack of available fuel at the departure location, which influenced the decision to fly with minimal reserves.