What happened
On April 18, 2020, a PA-25-260 aircraft, registration PR-DTY, was conducting a local private flight near Outeiro Farm in Matões do Norte, Brazil. Approximately thirty minutes after departing from a local landing area, the aircraft approached the BR-135 Highway. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a single-phase power grid cable and subsequently collided with a truck traveling on the highway. Following these impacts, the aircraft struck the ground. The collision triggered a post-impact fire that completely destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the driver of the truck was unharmed.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and flight records to determine the sequence of events. The investigation focused on the engine's performance, as there were indications that the engine was producing medium to low power at the time of the accident. Investigators noted that the aircraft's engine had been converted to operate on ethanol. While the engine was still rotating at the moment of impact, the intense fire prevented a detailed examination of the carburetor, though there were unrecorded reports of a previous replacement of this component.
Technical reviews of the aircraft's documentation revealed that the airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks were significantly outdated. The last recorded flight in the logbook was from October 2019, leaving a gap in the monitoring of flight hours and maintenance intervals. Additionally, investigators considered the possibility of fuel contamination, as the origin and storage conditions of the ethanol used for refueling were unknown.
Findings
- Inadequate maintenance monitoring: The failure to maintain updated flight and maintenance logs prevented proper oversight of required preventive or corrective services.
- Pilot attitude: The pilot's behavior was described as daring and audacious, characterized by an excess of confidence that increased risk exposure.
- Potential engine power loss: There were indications of reduced engine power, which may have necessitated an emergency landing attempt on the highway.
- Uncertain physiological factors: The investigation could not rule out the effects of alcohol consumption or fatigue, as the pilot had reportedly consumed alcohol socially the night before and had only five hours of sleep.