What happened
On June 1, 2018, a Pelican 500BR ultralight aircraft, registration PU-ZMZ, departed from the Tatuí Aerodrome (SDTF) in São Paulo for a local flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. Shortly after takeoff, the engine suffered a loss of power, preventing the aircraft from maintaining its climb gradient. Unable to return to the runway due to insufficient altitude, the pilot initiated a descent and performed an emergency landing in an uninhabited field near the airfield.
While the aircraft sustained substantial damage due to a high sink rate and impact, both occupants exited the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly qualified with a valid commercial pilot license and medical certificate. The aircraft, an amateur-built experimental model, held a valid Experimental Flight Authorization (CAVE).
Investigators noted that because the aircraft operated under experimental regulations, certain technical records regarding engine hours and maintenance traceability were unavailable. Specifically, there were no records provided regarding the engine's operating hours, and the Rotax 912 ULS engine used in the aircraft was not listed in the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) databases as a certified aeronautical product. This lack of documentation prevented the commission from determining the exact cause of the engine failure or evaluating the adequacy of previous maintenance services.
Findings
- The engine experienced a loss of power during the second segment of the takeoff.
- The pilot followed the aircraft manual's procedures for power loss immediately after takeoff, prioritizing an immediate glide path over attempting an engine restart.
- Ground markings indicated the aircraft touched down at a reduced speed but with a high sink rate, suggesting that landing procedures were not executed optimally.
- The lack of maintenance and engine hour logs made the specific cause of the engine failure undetermined.