What happened
On September 24, 2022, at approximately 20:05 UTC, a Zenith CH 701 amateur-built aircraft, registration PU-PCM, departed from Aeródromo Helmuth Baungartem in Lontras, Santa Catarina, for a local private flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experienced engine performance issues. In response to the loss of power, the pilot performed an emergency landing in an unprepared field near Salto Pilão. The impact was severe enough to cause substantial damage to the aircraft, including deformed main landing gear and a broken propeller. The pilot escaped without injury, while the passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the pilot's credentials. The investigation revealed that the pilot's medical certificate was expired at the time of the accident, although the pilot held a valid single-engine land rating.
A significant complication in the investigation was the recent loss of all essential aircraft documentation. A police report indicated that various documents related to the aircraft had been lost several days prior to the accident. Consequently, investigators could not verify the validity of the Experimental Airworthiness Certificate (CAVE), nor could they review the maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, or propeller. The lack of these records meant that the investigators could not determine the timing of the last inspections or whether recent maintenance work had contributed to the engine failure. Furthermore, the loss of the aircraft's operating manual prevented the verification of weight and balance limits.
Physical evidence at the scene, including the position of the broken propeller blades and the deformation of the landing gear, indicated that the aircraft struck the ground with significant force. Investigators also noted that the flaperons were in the retracted position, suggesting they were not utilized during the emergency approach, which might have otherwise reduced the stall speed and kinetic energy during the landing.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered a heavy landing in an unprepared field.
- The pilot was operating with an expired medical certificate.
- All essential aircraft maintenance and airworthiness records had been lost prior to the occurrence.
- The cause of the engine performance degradation could not be determined due to the absence of maintenance documentation.