What happened
On December 13, 2002, an Embraer E-720D, registration PT-VNF, was performing a flight from Campo Grande to Fazenda São Sebastião in Corumb and encountered engine abnormalities. The pilot reported that after noticing engine vibrations, he performed a precautionary landing on an unprepared field. According to the pilot, the landing was successful, and after conducting a full inspection and draining the fuel tanks, he attempted to take off again. During this second takeoff attempt, the engine lost power, causing the aircraft to strike a wire fence and catch fire.
However, eyewitness accounts from farm employees provided a different sequence of events. They stated the aircraft approached the field on a heading of 330 degrees and performed a forced landing on plowed ground. During this maneuver, the wing struck a wire fence, resulting in the failure of the main landing gear and a subsequent fuel leak, which led to the fire. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the incident.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation faced significant obstacles because the aircraft owner failed to report the accident promptly and ordered the wreckage to be buried. By the time investigators arrived approximately twenty days later, the debris had been interred and the impact marks on the terrain had been erased.
Investigators examined the engine components that were recovered. While the magnetos were found to be non-compliant with the Neiva Master Manual—utilizing models 6250 and 6251 instead of the required 6350 and 6351—tests showed these did not compromise operation. The lubrication system and fuel distributor were found to be in normal condition, though fuel lines were burned and some components were dented. Ultimately, no objective evidence was found within the engine components to explain a power loss.
Findings
- The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries, while the other two occupants were uninjured.
- The primary difficulty in the investigation was the intentional concealment of the wreckage by the owner.
- Due to the lack of accessible physical evidence and the destruction of the site, the exact cause of the engine abnormality or the specific sequence of the impact could not be determined.