What happened
On March 19, 2016, a Cirrus SR22, registration PP-JMC, departed from Fortaleza, CE, bound for Limoeiro do Norte, CE, for a private flight transporting one pilot and three passengers. During the descent toward the destination, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot noted fluctuations in fuel flow and cylinder head temperatures via the aircraft's display.
After attempting emergency checklists without success, the pilot identified an asphalt runway at Fazenda Jacaju as a suitable landing site. The runway, measuring 1,200m x 15m, was not a registered or certified aerodrome. While the aircraft was configured normally for landing, the pilot lost directional control after touchdown. The aircraft veered to the right, coming to a stop approximately three meters outside the right lateral edge of the runway, at a 250-degree offset from the ideal landing path. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but all four occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the propulsion system to identify the cause of the power loss. Post-accident inspections of the engine, magnetos, and fuel system revealed no irregularities or malfunctions; performance tests conducted at various power settings showed the engine operated according to manufacturer specifications.
Investigators also reviewed the legality of the landing site. Although the runway was physically compatible with the aircraft's operations, it was not a registered or approved aerodrome under Brazilian aeronautical regulations. The investigation could not rule out the possibility that the farm strip was the pilot's intended destination, which would constitute a regulatory violation.