What happened
On May 13, 2010, an EMB-810C, registration PT-EUJ, operated by JVC Aerotáxi Ltda, departed from Flores Aerodrome in Manaus, Brazil, bound for Maués. The flight carried one pilot and five passengers. Approximately one minute after takeoff, the pilot notified air traffic control of a technical issue and requested a return to the departure airfield.
Unable to reach the runway, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a vacant lot on the outskirts of Mana/us. During the impact, the aircraft's wings were torn from the fuselage, causing a massive fuel leak. The aircraft struck the ground violently, leading to a post-crash fire and three subsequent explosions. All six fatalities (the pilot and five passengers) were confirmed, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the mechanical failure and the operational decisions leading to the accident. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance logs and found that the 50-hour inspection was overdue. Furthermore, the aircraft's technical documentation was outdated, making it impossible to verify the exact flight hours since the last major inspection.
Technical analysis of the wreckage revealed that a fuel feed tube for cylinder 4 of the right engine had detached shortly after takeoff. This caused a fuel leak and a subsequent loss of power in the engine. The investigation also scrutinized the pilot's decision-making regarding weight and balance, as well as the operator's maintenance and training oversight.
Findings
- Overweight takeoff: The pilot departed with an excess of weight, having failed to account for the weight of passengers and baggage, and having over-fueled the aircraft beyond necessity.
- Engine failure: The detachment of a fuel feed tube on the right engine caused a critical loss of power during the initial climb.
- Maintenance deficiencies: Several components, including propellers, had exceeded their Time Between Overhaul (TBO) limits. Additionally, the required 50-hour inspection had not been performed.
- Pilot decision-making: The pilot's experience may have led to overconfidence, resulting in a disregard for standard operating procedures regarding weight limits and a failure to communicate the specific nature of the emergency to air traffic control.
- Operational oversight: The investigation noted a lack of effective monitoring by the operator regarding flight planning and pilot training/recertification.