What happened
On June 11, 2015, at approximately 17:55 UTC, a Cessna 172A, registration PT-BHC, was performing a local flight test at the Aeródromo Nacional de Aviação (SWNV) in Goiânia, Goiás. The flight, which included a pilot and one passenger, had been conducting equipment tests for approximately 30 minutes in the West Sector of the city.
During a series of touch-and-go maneuvers, the aircraft experienced an engine failure at an altitude of approximately 150 feet, immediately following the third go-around. The pilot attempted to restart the engine and return to the runway, but was unsuccessful. This forced the pilot to perform an emergency landing in an uninhabable area adjacent to the airfield. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, specifically to the left wing structure, but both occupants emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the engine and fuel systems to determine the cause of the power loss. Laboratory analysis of a fuel sample from the right tank showed that the fuel met ANP specifications, with no evidence of significant contamination. A subsequent teardown of the Continental O-300-C engine revealed that all internal components, including the cylinders, carburetor, magnetos, and oil pump, were fully operational and showed no signs of excessive wear or lack of lubrication. While small polypropylene threads were found near the carburetor float needle, they were too small to obstruct fuel flow.
Crucially, the investigation identified a discrepancy regarding the aircraft's fuel supply. Although the pilot's logbook recorded a refueling of 90 liters at the airfield, the fuel provider's records showed no such transaction occurred on the day of the accident or in the preceding days. This contradiction suggested that the aircraft may not have had the fuel levels recorded in the logbook.
Findings
- The engine and its components were found to be in an operational state with no mechanical anomalies identified.
- Fuel exhaustion is the most plausible cause of the engine failure, potentially resulting from improper fuel selector positioning or an actual lack of fuel in the tanks.
- Inaccurate fuel logging in the aircraft logbook, which contradicted the service provider's records.
- Inadequate flight planning regarding fuel management.