What happened
On April 30, 2018, a Ross Hansen Rebel amphibious aircraft, registration PU-GIP, departed from Comunidade de Camarão, Amazonas, bound for Itacoati-ara, Amazonas. The flight was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
Approximately 35 minutes into the flight, the pilot encountered a storm blocking the intended route. To avoid the weather, the pilot decided to perform a preventive landing on a lake near the Cristo Rei community in Nova Olinda do Norte. During the final approach, the pilot observed several boats in the landing area and initiated a go-around. During this maneuver, the engine failed, causing the aircraft to crash into dense vegetation. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger suffered serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by SERIPA VII, examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the pilot's qualifications. Investigators noted that while the pilot held a valid medical certificate and a single-engine land rating, they did not possess the required Advanced Ultralight Amphibious rating for this specific aircraft type.
Furthermore, the investigation was interrupted because the aircraft was removed and dismantled from the crash site without authorization from the investigating authority. The operator also failed to report the accident to the regional investigation service. While the aircraft's experimental certification and insurance were valid, the maintenance logs for the cell, engine, and propeller were not provided for review.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred during a go-around maneuver following an aborted landing attempt.
- Fuel exhaustion was ruled out based on information provided by the occupants.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the specific amphibious rating required for the type.
- Meteorological conditions were unsuitable for visual flight rules (VFR) due to the presence of a storm.
- The investigation was hindered by the unauthorized removal and disassembly of the wreckage.