What happened
On March 13, 2018, an Embraer EMB-202A, registration PT-VUY, was conducting an agricultural spraying operation near Jaboticabal, São Paulo. The aircraft had departed from the Aeródromo da Usina São Martinho approximately 20 minutes prior to the incident. During the mission, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power, forcing the pilot to perform an emergency landing in a sugarcane plantation at Fazenda Bela Vista.
The pilot, who was fully qualified and holding valid medical and aeronautical certifications, escaped the crash without injury. However, the aircraft sustained substantial damage during the forced landing.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the engine components and analyzed fuel and oil samples. While the oil showed viscosity deviations, these were not considered sufficient to cause the power loss. Technical analysis conducted by the Department of Space Science and Technology (DCTA) revealed that the engine initially failed to start due to low fuel pressure. Upon replacing the mechanical fuel pump, the engine returned to normal operation.
Detailed inspection of the mechanical pump identified a fracture in the diaphragm drive shaft caused by material fatigue, evidenced by the presence of beach marks. While the aircraft was equipped with an auxiliary electric fuel pump designed to maintain engine operation in the event of a mechanical pump failure, investigators determined that this electric pump was not operating at the time of the engine failure. Although the pilot stated the electric pump had been turned on since the start of the flight, testing confirmed it was inoperative during the incident.
Findings
- The mechanical fuel pump failed due to a fracture in the diaphragm drive shaft caused by material fatigue.
- The auxiliary electric fuel pump, which should have been operational to mitigate a mechanical failure, was not functioning during the engine failure.
- The pilot was properly qualified and the aircraft was in an airworthy condition with all documentation up to date.
- There is a documented belief among some agricultural pilots that running the electric pump continuously during flight may lead to premature equipment failure, which may influence operational decisions.