What happened
On May 6, 2021, a Cessna 2-10N, registration PR-FPR, crashed near the São Raimundo Mining area in Itaituba, Pará. The aircraft had taken off from an unregistered dirt runway to transport cargo and passengers to an unspecified mining site.
During the flight, the aircraft was performing low-altitude maneuvers. While executing a right turn, the plane made its first impact with the ground in a controlled attitude, with wings leveled and a slight pitch-up. The aircraft then struck a pile of sand with high energy, causing the airframe to break apart and the engine to be thrown forward. A subsequent fire consumed the wreckage. The pilot and two passengers, all of whom sustained fatal injuries, perished in the accident.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators analyzed video footage captured by local observers, which showed the sequence of events. The investigation established that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact, as evidenced by deformations in the propeller blades. There was no evidence of mechanical failure or equipment malfunction contributing to the crash.
Investigators also examined the operational environment, noting that the flight departed from an unregistered runway and did not adhere to established altitude requirements for visual flight. The investigation also noted that while the pilot held a valid medical certificate and rating, one passenger held an expired medical certificate and rating.