What happened
On March 27, 2019, at approximately 13:36 UTC, an experimental FK9 Mk IVB aircraft, registration PU-FKE, departed from Atibaia Aerodrome (SDTB) bound for Rio de Janeiro (SIAN) for a private flight. The crew consisted of two pilots. During the climb, upon reaching an altitude of 4,000 feet, the aircraft experienced a complete engine failure.
Due to the local terrain, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on the SP-065 highway in Bom Jesus dos Perdões, São Paulo. During the landing sequence, the right wing of the aircraft struck a truck, causing the aircraft to veer. Subsequently, the left wing tip collided with a passenger car, which acted as an obstacle that caused the aircraft to capsize. The aircraft came to a final rest in the highway's median strip. The collision caused damage to the truck and the passenger car, while the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Both pilots sustained minor injuries, and the driver of the truck was unharmed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that both pilots held valid medical certificates and appropriate licenses for ultralight operations. The aircraft, an amateur-built experimental model, was within weight and balance limits, and the meteorological conditions were favorable for flight.
The investigation focused on the engine failure, noting that the aircraft was equipped with a Rotax 912 ULS engine and propeller. However, according to ANAC records, these specific components were not listed as certified aviation products. Under the protocols for investigating amateur-built experimental aircraft, the investigation did not extend to the airworthiness of non-certified parts or components. Consequently, a detailed technical analysis of the engine's failure mechanism could not be performed.