What happened
On February 22, 2023, at approximately 21:00 UTC, a JEGVENTURA experimental aircraft, registration PU-MTI, was conducting a local flight departing from Aeródromo Fazenda Perobas in Tanabi, São Paulo. Approximately twenty minutes into the flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open rural area, but the aircraft overturned during the landing sequence.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the flight and the airworthiness of the aircraft. Meteorological data from a nearby station indicated that weather conditions were favorable for flight at the time of the occurrence. However, the investigation revealed significant regulatory discrepancies regarding the pilot's qualifications and the aircraft's documentation.
The pilot was operating with an aeronautical medical certificate and an advanced ultralight rating that had both been expired since October 2012. Furthermore, the investigation could not verify the aircraft's weight and balance or the validity of its experimental flight authorization, as essential documents such as the airworthiness verification certificate were unavailable. Regarding the aircraft's maintenance history, the operator stated that since acquiring the aircraft in August 2021, no maintenance logs, engine logs, or flight manuals had been provided, leaving the maintenance status of the airframe and engine unverified.
Findings
- The pilot was not legally qualified to act as pilot-in-command due to expired medical and rating certifications.
- The aircraft lacked verifiable maintenance records, including cell and engine logbooks.
- The pilot's checklist did not include emergency procedures.
- The investigation could not determine the exact cause of the power loss due to the lack of maintenance and inspection records.
- The pilot's lack of recent experience and potential errors in judgment or control inputs were identified as contributing factors.