What happened
On July 16, 2020, at approximately 18:30 UTC, a Cessna 210N, registration PR-NCF, was discovered in flames in a pasture at the Fazenda Grupo Mato Grosso, located in the Izidolândia district of Alta Floresta D’Oeste, Rondônia. Local witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying at a low altitude before it landed in the pasture.
Following the impact, witnesses observed the occupants exiting the aircraft and setting it on fire before fleeing the scene in an unidentified private vehicle. While the aircraft was completely destroyed, there were no confirmed fatalities or injuries, as the exact number of people on board could not be verified.
The investigation
The investigation was initiated after the Border Police Battalion (BPFron) of the Rondônia Military Police notified CENIPA. Investigators attempted to contact the aircraft operator through the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry (RAB) but were unsuccessful.
Technical analysis revealed that the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate (CA) had been suspended since February 8, 2020, due to the expiration of its Airworthiness Verification Certificate (CVA). The last annual maintenance inspection had been performed on February 8, 2019. Additionally, local reports suggested the aircraft had previously been seen flying at low altitudes and dropping materials in the region, leading authorities to investigate the possibility of illegal operations.
Findings
- The aircraft PR-NCF was destroyed by fire.
- The aircraft was operating with a suspended airworthiness certificate.
- The exact number of occupants on board remains unconfirmed.
- The occupants fled the scene immediately following the crash.