What happened
On August 25, 2003, an EMB-810C, registration PT-EIT, operated by Parintins Táxi-Aéreo Ltda., was performing a cargo flight transporting bank mail from Itacoatiara to Manaus. During the takeoff roll from Itacoatiara Aerodrome (SBIC), the pilot noticed an abnormal noise followed by the failure of the left engine.
In an attempt to return to the runway, the pilot executed a right-hand turn. However, due to insufficient altitude, the aircraft could not reach the runway and performed a forced landing on the banks of the Amazon River. The aircraft subsequently submerged in the water. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the wreckage uninjured, though the aircraft sustained severe damage to the engines, fuselage, wings, and vertical stabilizer due to the impact and the river current.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the engines and discovered significant irregularities within the fuel injection systems. In the left engine, the fuel pump was found to be incompatible with the installed engine model, and several internal components lacked original identification plates. The right engine also showed improper maintenance, including the use of an incorrect bolt in the aneroid capsule and improper torque on fuel pump components.
Analysis revealed that both engines suffered from excessive fuel pressure and flow across all RPM ranges, which could lead to an over-rich air/fuel mixture, causing power loss or engine shutdown. Furthermore, investigators noted that the pilot failed to feather the propeller of the failed engine, which increased drag and prevented the maintenance of flight altitude.
Findings
- Incompatible and improperly regulated fuel pumps in both engines created a condition prone to engine failure.
- Inadequate maintenance supervision allowed the use of non-compatible components and improper torque settings to go undetected.
- The pilot's failure to feather the propeller on the failed engine increased aerodynamic drag, making it impossible to maintain enough altitude to reach the runway.
- The presence of uncertified products and improper sealing methods was noted in the engine assemblies.