What happened
On July 10, 2010, a Cessna 182F, registration PT-BXQ, was conducting a skydiving operation near Paço do Lumiar, Maranhão. After departing from the São Luís aerodrome, the aircraft experienced an engine failure approximately five minutes into the flight.
Recognizing the emergency, the pilot instructed the four passengers to abandon the aircraft while still in flight. The pilot attempted to restart the engine multiple times, which caused the starter motor wire to overheat and burn. Unable to restore power and unable to reach the runway, the pilot performed an emergency landing on irregular terrain approximately 300 meters from the threshold of runway 09 at the Paço do Lumiar aerodrome. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft's right wing, engine, propeller, landing gear, and forward fuselage. The pilot sustained minor facial injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and operational logs, discovering that the aircraft was equipped with a propeller and a carburetor that were not approved for the installed Continental O-470-R engine. Furthermore, the aircraft's logbooks contained erroneous entries regarding fuel capacity, with several records indicating fuel levels exceeding the aircraft's certified maximum capacity.
Investigators also noted evidence of historical fuel leaks around the wing filler necks. While the investigation ruled out a continuous leak as the cause of the fuel exhaustion, it was determined that the pilot had failed to perform a proper pre-flight inspection to verify the actual fuel quantity on board. Additionally, the pilot did not declare an emergency to São Luís Approach Control, merely stating that the aircraft was returning for landing with passengers.
Findings
- Fuel exhaustion was the primary cause of the engine failure.
- Inadequate flight planning, specifically the failure to verify the actual fuel quantity before departure, contributed to the event.
- The pilot's focus on attempting to restart the engine likely distracted from essential glide management and aircraft positioning, preventing a successful return to the runway.
- Lack of management oversight regarding inaccurate fuel quantity records in the logbooks contributed to the pilot's error.
- The aircraft was equipped with uncertified components, including a non-approved carburetor and propeller.