What happened
On July 25, 2020, at approximately 13:30 UTC, a KolbFlyer (registration PU-OOO) was conducting a local flight departing from Aeródromo Fazenda Aero-Amil in Brusque, Santa Catarina. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger for private operations.
During the flight, the aircraft experienced an engine failure. In an attempt to perform an emergency landing, the aircraft struck a utility pole and its electrical wiring before impacting the ground. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, and both occupants sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA V established that the engine was not producing power at the moment of impact. Investigators noted that the aircraft was operating under a Flight Authorization Certificate (CAV) as an experimental aircraft.
Several regulatory discrepancies were identified during the inquiry. It was determined that the person operating the aircraft did not possess a valid pilot certificate, license, or rating, although they did hold a valid aeronautical medical certificate. Furthermore, the investigation could not verify the aircraft's weight and balance parameters due to the absence of required documentation. Because the aircraft was categorized as experimental, maintenance logs were not available to verify the frequency or adequacy of recent maintenance, and fuel fueling receipts were not provided for review.
Findings
- The engine failed during flight, leading to the loss of power.
- The operator was operating the aircraft without the required pilot license or qualification.
- The aircraft struck a utility pole and power lines during the emergency descent.
- Maintenance records and weight and balance data were unavailable for verification.
- The operation was conducted in non-compliance with Brazilian civil aviation regulations regarding crew licensing.