What happened
On July 4, 2021, at approximately 13:30 UTC, a Piper PA-34-200, registration PR-KNI, was performing a flight training mission at the Guarapari Aerodrome (SNGA) in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The flight was being conducted as part of a selection process for a flight instructor position, with two qualified pilots on board.
During the third traffic pattern, while the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 300 feet, the right engine experienced a gradual loss of power. The crew did not report any sudden noises, smoke, or catastrophic indications at the moment of failure. Due to the loss of power, the aircraft was unable to maintain its initial climb or maintain level flight.
In an attempt to avoid obstacles including power lines, hills, and houses near the runway, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a nearby mangrove area. During the maneuver, the aircraft struck electrical transmission lines. Following the impact with trees and the ground, the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed. Both pilots sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the propulsion systems of both engines. While the intense fire prevented a conclusive analysis of many components, investigators found that the left engine was producing power at the time of impact, evidenced by transverse marks on the propeller blades. Conversely, the right engine was not developing power; however, while an obstruction was noted in the number one cylinder injector, the fire's intensity made it impossible to definitively link this to the failure.
Investigators also noted a discrepancy regarding the landing gear. Although the crew reported that the gear had been retracted, the investigation found the landing gear in the extended position. It remains undetermined if the gear was left down after takeoff, retracted during the emergency, or displaced during the impact.
Findings
- The right engine failure was the determining factor that necessitated the forced landing.
- The aircraft was operating near its maximum allowable weight.
- The crew's attention and coordination may have been compromised by the critical nature of the engine failure.
- Potential issues with cockpit coordination and communication regarding aircraft configuration (such as the landing gear and engine feathering) were noted as contributing factors.
- The contact with electrical transmission lines may have further complicated the aircraft's controllability.