What happened
On August 24, 2020, an Embraer EMB-810D, registration PT-VGV, crashed in a rural plantation area near Nobres, Mato Grosso. The aircraft had departed from the Santo Antônio de Leverger Aerodrome for a private flight to Novo Progresso, Pará, carrying a pilot and two passengers.
The aircraft was discovered on its back in a field. The impact resulted in three fatalities, as both the pilot and the two passengers succumbed to their injuries. The aircraft was destroyed during the accident.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators found that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and instrument ratings, with approximately 490 total flight hours. The aircraft was also in a compliant state, with a valid airworthiness certificate, up-to-date maintenance logs, and operating within proper weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions at the time of the flight were considered favorable.
During the initial examination of the wreckage, investigators noted that the propellers on both engines showed deformations consistent with an impact while the engines were not producing power, suggesting a possible in-flight engine shutdown. Additionally, parts of the wings and the tail assembly were found separated from the fuselage, indicating that aerodynamic components detached during flight.
Air traffic control records revealed that the pilot struggled to maintain the planned course, deviating significantly from the intended heading and receiving several warnings from controllers. However, the pilot never reported any abnormal situations or emergencies prior to losing radar contact.
Findings
A critical complication arose when the aircraft's operator reported that a fire on an adjacent property had spread to the wreckage while it was being stored on the operator's land. This fire severely damaged the engines and other components, melting cylinders, pistons, and various internal parts, which rendered a detailed mechanical analysis of the powerplants impossible.
While investigators examined a recovered part of the stabilator, they found only evidence of structural overload fractures, with no signs of fatigue or corrosion. Due to the inability to examine the engines, the possibility of an uncertified master switch being installed, and the lack of communication regarding any in-flight emergency, the contributing factors to the accident remain undetermined.