What happened
On February 26, 2014, a Cessna 188B, registration PR-KSF, was performing a ferry flight from Fazenda Guanabara, Pará, to Carolina, Maranhão, when it experienced a critical engine failure near Araguaína, Tocantins. While flying over the municipality of Araguaína, the engine's oil pressure dropped and temperatures rose sharply. This was accompanied by an oil leak from the upper engine cowling that coated the windshield, severely obstructing the pilot's forward vision.
As the engine lost power, the pilot attempted to reach a known landing strip but determined it was unreachable. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing into a forested area at Chácara Nossa Senhora do Carmo. During the descent, the aircraft struck several trees. The impact caused the left wing strut to break and the left wing to fold toward the fuselage, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed a significant lack of regulatory compliance regarding both the aircraft and the pilot. The investigation established that the aircraft was being operated commercially for agricultural spraying despite lacking a valid Certificate of Registration, a Certificate of Airworthiness, and essential maintenance logs (engine, propeller, and airframe logbooks). Furthermore, the operator was using an expired trademark reservation certificate that did not authorize flight operations.
Regarding the crew, the investigation found that the pilot was operating with both an expired Medical Certificate and an expired Pilot Certificate. The investigation also traced the mechanical failure to a maintenance issue: approximately 150 flight hours prior, a cylinder replacement had been performed in an unauthorized workshop. During this flight, a connecting rod bolt in cylinder number 6 sheared, causing the connecting rod to fracture and puncture the cylinder wall.
Findings
- Mechanical failure: A connecting rod bolt sheared, leading to a fractured connecting rod and a punctured cylinder.
- Maintenance deficiencies: The aircraft lacked a formal maintenance program and had undergone unauthorized repairs in an undeclared workshop.
- Regulatory non-compliance: The aircraft lacked valid registration, airworthiness certification, and required technical logs.
- Pilot qualifications: The pilot was operating with expired medical and technical licenses.
- Operational irregularities: The aircraft was being used for commercial agricultural operations without proper authorization or documentation.