Cessna 210L Crashes in Mato Grosso After Fuel Exhaustion

Casualties unknown • PRIMAVERA DO LESTE, MT, BR

A Cessna 210L crashed into dense vegetation in Primavera do Leste, Brazil, resulting in four fatalities after running out of fuel during a night flight in adverse weather.

What happened

On March 31, 2022, at approximately 23:01 UTC, a Cessna 210L, registration PT-IXG, crashed into a forested area in the northern sector of Primavera do Leste, Mato Grosso. The aircraft had departed from an unregistered location at Fazenda São José, Pontes e Lacerda, for a passenger transport flight.

During the final approach to Aeródromo Primavera do Leste (SWPY), the aircraft encountered adverse meteorological conditions and was operating at night. The flight involved several stages, and during the attempt to land, the aircraft collided with dense vegetation. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and four fatalities, including the pilot and three passengers.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation established that the aircraft was operating in violation of several regulatory standards. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in conditions that were not suitable for VFR, and the aircraft was not certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. Furthermore, the destination aerodrome (SWPY) was not authorized for VFR night operations at the time of the accident.

Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system and performance data. While the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, the logbooks were outdated. The investigation focused on the discrepancy between the pilot's planned fuel endurance and the actual fuel consumption, noting that the aircraft had flown through various altitudes and maneuvers that likely increased fuel burn beyond the manual's estimates.

Findings

  • Fuel exhaustion was the primary cause of the accident.
  • The pilot failed to accurately calculate the required fuel for the flight stages, especially considering the adverse weather and non-economic engine settings.
  • The pilot demonstrated poor decision-making by proceeding with a night flight under weather conditions that were not conducive to safe VFR operations.
  • There was evidence of operational non-compliance, including unauthorized flight segments and deviations from air traffic rules.
  • The pilot's situational awareness may have been compromised by the combination of night operations, deteriorating weather, and critical fuel levels.
  • The aircraft's transponder was found to be turned off at the time of the crash.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by fuel exhaustion resulting from inadequate flight planning and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, exacerbated by the pilot's decision to continue flight operations at night under adverse meteorological conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-03-31 aircraft accident near PRIMAVERA DO LESTE, MT, BR?

A Cessna 210L crashed into dense vegetation in Primavera do Leste, Brazil, resulting in four fatalities after running out of fuel during a night flight in adverse weather.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-03-31 involved a aircraft, registration PTIXG, at PRIMAVERA DO LESTE, MT, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by fuel exhaustion resulting from inadequate flight planning and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, exacerbated by the pilot's decision to continue flight operations at night under adverse meteorological conditions.

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