What happened
On April 12, 2019, a Cessna 210L, registration PR-RAW, departed from the Jacareacanga Aerodrome (SBEK) in Pará, Brazil. The flight was intended to transport cargo and personnel to the 13 de Maio mining site near Almeirim, Pará. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and one passenger, and was loaded with a full fuel capacity of 340 liters of AVGAS to ensure sufficient range for the mission.
The aircraft failed to reach its destination and was subsequently declared missing. Search operations were conducted but were officially suspended on April 24, 2019. The incident was not reported to the Amazon Rescue Coordination Center (RCC-AZ) until approximately 54 hours after the departure, on April 15, 2019.
Due to the circumstances of the disappearance, the exact location of the aircraft, the extent of any damage, and the condition of the occupants could not be determined.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation into the disappearance of PR-RAW focused on the operational legality and the qualifications of the crew. Investigators established that while the aircraft's airworthiness certificate and annual maintenance inspection were valid, significant regulatory discrepancies were present regarding the pilot.
It was discovered that the pilot operating the aircraft was not the individual listed on the original flight plan. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the pilot was flying with an expired single-engine land (MNTE) rating, which had been invalid since August 201 and an expired medical certificate (CMA) since January 22, 2019.
Additionally, the investigation noted that the flight involved the transport of diesel oil, classified as a dangerous goods item, and that the aircraft's weight and balance could not be verified. Although the aircraft was registered for private operations, evidence suggested a charter agreement was in place for this mission.
Findings
- The pilot was operating with an expired medical certificate.
- The pilot held an expired single-engine land rating.
- The pilot was not legally qualified to perform the flight.
- The aircraft was transporting diesel oil, a dangerous goods item.
- The aircraft's weight and balance status remained unverified.