What happened
On May 28, 2017, at approximately 19:00 UTC, an EMB-720D aircraft, registration PT-RLE, was found crashed and abandoned in a cornfield along the BR-163 highway, near the Iguatemi River in Mundo Novo, Mato Grosso do Sul. The aircraft was discovered following a report by the Civil Police of Mundo Novo. At the time of the discovery, the pilot was not present at the scene and could not be located. There was no flight plan filed for this operation, and no radar contact had been established for the aircraft prior to the occurrence.
The investigation
Investigators from SERIPA IV examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the aircraft. The investigation revealed that the aircraft had undergone internal modifications, specifically the removal of the co-pilot seat and two passenger seats. While the aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness was valid at the time, the investigation was officially interrupted by CENIPA. This decision was made because the operation appeared to be in violation of existing aeronautical legislation, and the presence of potential criminal indicators or regulatory non-compliance meant that further investigation would not yield new safety-related findings for prevention purposes.
Findings
- The EMB-720D sustained substantial damage during the event.
- The aircraft was found in a cornfield, abandoned by the pilot.
- The aircraft was configured with the co-pilot seat and two passenger seats removed.
- There was no flight plan filed for the flight.
- The owner of the aircraft could not be located during the investigation.