What happened
On July 21, 2019, at approximately 19:30 UTC, an Icaros Adventure ultralight, registration PU-TKK, was performing a local recreational flight departing from the Fazenda Vale Eldorado aerodrome (SDVH) in Bragan and Paulista, Brazil. Shortly after takeoff, a structural failure occurred, resulting in the separation of the propeller from the rest of the powerplant assembly. This mechanical failure caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, which subsequently struck the ground in a nose-down attitude near the edge of the runway. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators confirmed that the pilot was properly qualified, holding valid medical and flight certifications (UATE and AAPT) and possessing approximately 190 total flight hours, with significant experience in this specific model. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for flight. The aircraft was registered under the Experimental Private Category (PET) with a valid Experimental Flight Authorization (CAVE). Because the aircraft was operating under experimental regulations, investigators were unable to verify the status of its maintenance logs or recent inspections, as the operator could not be contacted following the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the structural separation of the propeller from the powerplant.
- The loss of control and subsequent ground impact were direct consequences of this mechanical failure.
- Due to the experimental nature of the aircraft, the specific contributing factors that led to the propeller separation could not be determined.