What happened
On April 2, 2019, an EMB-1-21 A1, registration PT-FEG, departed from Sorocaba, São Paulo, bound for Palmas, Tocantins. During the climb phase, the pilot observed a "FIRE" warning light on the alarm panel corresponding to the right-hand engine. Following emergency procedures, the pilot intentionally shut down the affected engine and requested a diversion to Viracopos Aerodrome (SBKP) in Campinas as an alternate airport.
During the approach to Campinas, the aircraft was configured with the landing gear lowered and flaps extended to 100%. This configuration significantly increased aerodynamic drag. Consequently, the aircraft was unable to maintain the necessary flight path and performed a forced landing in a rural area approximately 3.75 NM short of the runway 15 threshold. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's fuselage, landing gear, engines, and wings. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured, while the remaining three passengers sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the validity of the fire indication and the pilot's decision-making process. Technical analysis and borescope inspections of the right-hand engine revealed no evidence of an actual fire, though evidence of overheating was found on one of the turbine disk blades. Investigators concluded that the fire light may have been a false indication caused by a failure in the detection system.
The investigation also scrutinized the pilot's training records. While the pilot held the necessary licenses, investigators found that the logs for specific type endorsements were incomplete and did not comply with regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the pilot admitted to having limited familiarity with emergency procedures and a lack of recent practice training for such scenarios. Additionally, the aircraft was found to be operating above its maximum landing weight limit during the occurrence.
Findings
- Insufficient training of the pilot in command regarding the EMB-121 A1, specifically regarding emergency procedures and type-specific proficiency.
- Inadequate flight control management, characterized by the premature extension of flaps to 100% and lowering of the landing gear, which increased drag and prevented the aircraft from reaching the runway.
- Improper assessment of the emergency, where the pilot shut down the engine without a more thorough evaluation of the actual fire situation.
- A potential system failure in the fire detection system, leading to a false warning.