What happened
On May 17, 2015, at 18:15 UTC, a Cirrus SR22, registration PR-RLD, was conducting a local flight departing from the Campo Mourão Aerodrome (SSKM) in Paraná, Brazil. During the operation, the aircraft struck an electrical power line. Following the collision, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft and successfully performed an emergency landing on an agricultural airstrip. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft's landing gear, wings, fuselage, and right flap. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the incident uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the collision and the pilot's account of the event. The pilot initially suggested that the engine had lost power due to potential water contamination in the fuel, following an aircraft washing earlier that day. However, investigators found this claim inconsistent with the flight timeline, noting that water contamination typically causes power loss immediately after engine start rather than 16 minutes into flight. Furthermore, the pilot's statements regarding the aircraft's flight path and airspeed at the time of impact were found to be contradictory.
Investigators also noted that engine tests performed during the initial response showed the engine functioned perfectly using both fuel tanks. Because fuel had been drained from the aircraft prior to the investigation's arrival, a chemical analysis of the fuel could not be performed. The investigation determined that the power loss narrative was unsupported by the facts.
Findings
- Deliberate low-altitude flight: The electrical wires were located at approximately 100 feet, well below the minimum safety altitude of 500 feet required by regulations.
- Flight indiscipline
- Inadequate flight planning