What happened
On May 19, 2018, at approximately 17:20 UTC, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-IGZ, was performing a private flight from Mundico Coelho, Pará, toward an unregistered landing strip at Fazenda Novo Acordo. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and two passengers.
During the approach to the destination, the engine failed. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in a heavily forested area within the Fazenda Novo Acrolado property. Despite the substantial damage sustained by the aircraft, the pilot and both passengers escaped the crash without injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators were notified of the accident 24 hours after the event via an anonymous report. The investigation faced significant challenges due to a lack of cooperation from the parties involved. The identified operator of the aircraft did not report the occurrence to the authorities and provided only superficial information, failing to disclose the location of the wreckage. Similarly, the pilot provided limited details and did not assist the investigation process.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate (CA) had been canceled since December 2009 due to an expired annual maintenance inspection and irregularities regarding the station license. Additionally, the person identified as the actual operator did not match the owner registered with the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an engine failure in flight.
- The aircraft was operating with an invalid airworthiness status, as its certificate had been canceled years prior to the accident.
- Maintenance records for the airframe, engine, and propeller were unavailable for review.
- The investigation could not establish the aircraft's weight and balance at the time of the flight.
- The lack of cooperation from the pilot and operator hindered the ability to establish a complete sequence of events.