What happened
On March 28, 2015, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-KDZ, departed from the Araguari aerodrome (SNAG) for a local skydiving flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experienced intense vibrations followed by a complete engine failure. Unable to return to the runway, the pilot initiated an emergency landing procedure in an open field.
During the descent, the aircraft struck an unenergized utility pole, electrical wires, and a barbed-weight fence before impacting the ground. The impact also involved a roadside curb. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the engine, fuselage, left wing, vertical stabilizer, and landing gear. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the four passengers remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the aircraft's recent maintenance history. It was noted that the aircraft had been out of service for approximately three months for maintenance, during which time it was exposed to the elements. While fuel draining was performed prior to the flight, investigators examined the possibility of water contamination.
Specialists from the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) analyzed the engine and determined it was operational at the time of the accident, but the failure was consistent with contaminated fuel, likely containing water. The investigation also identified wrinkles in the aircraft's flexible rubberized bladder-type fuel cells, a known characteristic of this model that can trap moisture.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel contamination, likely due to water entering the system.
- Because the aircraft had been stationary for three months and exposed to weather, condensation likely accumulated in the fuel tanks.
- The presence of wrinkles in the fuel cells can cause water to become trapped or dammed up, preventing it from flowing to the sump for detection during standard pre-flight draining.
- Although fuel draining was performed, the investigation suggests that the procedures recommended by the manufacturer (Cessna Owner Advisory SE 82-36A)—such as gently moving the wings to dislodge contaminants—may not have been fully effective or executed to ensure all trapped water was removed.