Engine Failure and Spatial Disorientation Lead to Fatal Cessna 210D Crash

Casualties unknown • RIO VERDE, GO, BR

A night flight involving a Cessna 210D ended in a fatal crash near Rio Verde, Brazil, after an engine power loss during a touch-and-go maneuver.

What happened

On July 20, 2015, a Cessna 210D, registration PR-ITO, was performing a night flight from Jundiaí to the General Leite de Castro Aerodrome in Rio Verde, Brazil. After landing on the second half of the runway, the pilot executed a touch-and-go procedure to enter a new traffic circuit. During the subsequent climb, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power.

While attempting to enter the wind leg, the aircraft crashed into the ground approximately 5km from the aerodrome. The impact occurred in a lateral and downward attitude. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident, which resulted in one fatality (the passenger) and one minor injury (the pilot).

Probable cause

The accident was caused by engine power loss due to the failure of both magnetos, compounded by potential spatial disorientation and visual illusions caused by the lack of ground references during night flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-07-20 aircraft accident near RIO VERDE, GO, BR?

A night flight involving a Cessna 210D ended in a fatal crash near Rio Verde, Brazil, after an engine power loss during a touch-and-go maneuver.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-07-20 involved a aircraft, registration PRITO, at RIO VERDE, GO, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by engine power loss due to the failure of both magnetos, compounded by potential spatial disorientation and visual illusions caused by the lack of ground references during night flight.

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