What happened
On March 10, 2021, at approximately 20:30 UTC, an Embraer EMB-711C, registration PT-NOF, departed from an unregistered runway located at Fazenda Boa Esperança in Araguaiana, Mato Grosso, for a private flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
Shortly after takeoff, the engine experienced a significant loss of power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in the immediate vicinity of the takeoff area. During the impact, the aircraft struck the ground and subsequently caught fire. The accident resulted in two fatalities—the pilot and one passenger—while the remaining two passengers sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the collision and the ensuing fire.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight. The investigation noted that the pilot held valid medical and single-engine land certifications, though flight records indicated the pilot had limited total flight experience.
Investigators found that the takeoff occurred from an unregistered airstrip, which is contrary to Brazilian civil aviation regulations. While the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, the intense fire following the crash destroyed critical maintenance records, including the engine, propeller, and airframe logbooks, as well as the engine's identification plate.
Analysis of the propeller blades provided evidence that the engine was producing low power at the moment of impact. However, due to the severe fire damage, investigators could not definitively determine the specific origin of the engine failure, such as issues within the lubrication, fuel, or ignition systems. Witnesses also reported that the pilot had encountered difficulty starting the engine multiple times prior to the flight.