What happened
On July 14, 2007, a Beechcraft 35-B33, registration PT-BRP, was performing a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Vitória to João Monteiro, in Vila Velha, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and one passenger.
While entering the traffic pattern, the pilot performed the pre-landing checklist, which included selecting a fuel tank, reducing engine power, and extending the landing gear. Immediately following these actions, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching fuel tanks and activating the electric fuel pump, but was unsuccessful.
As the aircraft lost altitude and airspeed, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on runway 23. During the final approach, at an altitude of less than 100 feet, the right wingtip struck a utility pole. The aircraft then collided with a concrete slab before impacting the ground near the runway threshold. The pilot and passenger survived the impact, though the passenger sustained a minor head injury.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of events following the engine failure and the pilot's management of the emergency. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and the engine assembly. While the fuel was found to be within specifications and the engine was functional at the time of the accident, investigators identified several discrepancies in the engine's assembly by a third-party company. These included the use of non-standard valve tappets, improper use of sealant, and an incorrect gasket in the oil pickup tube that partially restricted oil flow.
Furthermore, the investigation analyzed the pilot's flight experience and the aerodynamic configuration of the aircraft during the glide. The investigation noted that the pilot maintained the landing gear in the extended position throughout the emergency procedure, which significantly increased aerodynamic drag and degraded the aircraft's glide ratio.