What happened
On May 16, 2018, a Cessna 210N, registration PR-RCJ, departed from Itaituba Aerodrome (SBIH) in Pará, Brazil, bound for Flores Aerodrome (SWFN) in Manaus. The flight was intended to transport cargo and personnel. The aircraft failed to reach its destination and was discovered the following day by local authorities in a dense forest near the Arari River, approximately 25 nautical miles from Itacoatiara, Amazonas.
The impact was severe, and the aircraft was destroyed. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries at the scene.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and meteorological data from the region. The investigation noted that the aircraft was not equipped with meteorological radar. While the prevailing weather conditions were within regulatory minimums for visual flight, satellite imagery and local reports indicated heavy rain and dense cloud cover along the flight path.
Investigators were unable to perform a detailed analysis of the engine or airframe maintenance records because the owner did not remove the wreckage from the site, leaving the engine buried. Furthermore, the pilot's recent flight experience could not be verified due to the absence of a flight logbook. It was established that while the pilot held a valid medical certificate, his Instrument Flight Rating (IFRA) had been expired since March 2018.
Findings
- The pilot's expired instrument flight rating and the lack of weather radar on the aircraft significantly increased the risk of the flight.
- The aircraft entered a state of spatial disorientation due to the transition from visual to instrument flight conditions amidst heavy cloudiness and rain.
- The high angle of attack and high speed at impact are consistent with a loss of control in flight.
- The pilot's decision-making may have been compromised by anxiety or impaired cognitive reactions due to the adverse weather conditions.