What happened
On October 15, 2002, an EMB 810C, registration PT-EJI, was performing a cargo transport flight from Dourados to Campo Grande, Brazil. Shortly after takeoff at approximately 400 feet, the right engine failed. In an attempt to return to the runway, the pilot initiated a left turn. During this maneuver, a passenger—who was a qualified pilot acting as a relief crew member—opened the rear left door and jettisoned 29 mailbags to reduce the aircraft's weight.
In an attempt to use the aircraft's landing lights, the pilot also commanded the landing gear to extend despite not having a secured landing. This configuration, combined with the increased drag from the open door, prevented the aircraft from maintaining altitude. The aircraft struck a tree and subsequently crashed into the ground, resulting in one fatality (the co-pilot) and two serious injuries (the pilot and the passenger).
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the engine components to determine the cause of the power loss. The investigation focused on the fuel system, the pilot's adherence to checklists, and the mechanical state of the engine controls. Investigators also reviewed the maintenance logs and the operational procedures followed by the crew during the emergency.
Findings
- The right engine failure was caused by a fuel starvation issue resulting from a failure in the fuel selector valve. Specifically, a flexible steel cable that connects the control mechanism to the valve stem had detached.
- The failure of this component was likely due to long-term fatigue, as there was no record of the cable being replaced since the aircraft's manufacture in 1977, and the manufacturer's maintenance program did not require periodic visual inspections of this specific part.
- The pilot failed to perform the required engine check during the pre-takeoff phase, having only performed the check after landing during the previous leg of the flight. This omission allowed the fuel valve malfunction to go undetected on the ground.
- The pilot's decision-making during the emergency contributed to the accident; specifically, attempting an immediate return to the runway at a low altitude and extending the landing gear increased drag and prevented the aircraft from maintaining a positive climb gradient.
- There was a lack of effective cockpit coordination between the pilot and the co-pilot regarding the execution of the engine failure checklist.
Safety action
CENIPA issued a recommendation to ANAC to evaluate the necessity of an Airworthiness Directive (AD) regarding the inspection of fuel selector valves and associated components on EMB 810C aircraft and similar models.