What happened
On May 15, 2021, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-JJH, departed from Arara Azul (SJHZ) for a private ferry flight to Poconé (SWPK), Mato Grosso. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot noticed the aircraft trending to the left of the intended course. In an attempt to correct the track, the pilot executed a steep right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the engine began to fail, leading to a loss of altitude. Due to the low altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, there was insufficient time to troubleshoot the engine. The pilot performed a forced landing in a marshy area of the Pantanal near the Transpantaneira Highway. The impact with trees and the ground resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, causing serious injuries to the pilot and minor injuries to the passenger.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the aircraft's recent history and maintenance. The investigation established that the aircraft had been involved in a serious incident just 13 days prior, on May 2, 2021. Crucially, the repairs following that incident were performed by an uncertified professional, and the aircraft had not been properly inspected to ensure it returned to its design configuration. Analysis of the wreckage revealed that rivets securing the vertical stabilizer had broken, causing the stabilizer to tilt and jam the rudder to the left.
Furthermore, investigators found that the aircraft had been fueled only in the right wing, leaving the left tank empty. During the steep right turn, the fuel in the right wing shifted away from the fuel pickup, and because the left tank was empty, the engine's gravity-fed fuel supply was interrupted. The investigation also noted that the pilot's medical certificate (CMA) had been suspended following the previous incident.