What happened
On July 3, 2018, a Cessna 182N, registration PR-LEF, performed a forced landing in a low-vegetation area near Cumaru do Norte, Pará. The occurrence was not reported by the owner or operator, and the investigation was initiated only after anonymous tips were received approximately 24 hours after the event.
According to reports, the aircraft had departed from an unidentified airstrip within a mining area to transport cargo and passengers. The flight was carrying a total of 10 people (one pilot and nine passengers), which significantly exceeded the aircraft's certified capacity of three passengers. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the landing. Due to the lack of cooperation and the inability to locate the pilot or the operator, the exact time and precise coordinates of the landing could not be confirmed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation faced significant obstacles as the owner, operator, and pilot could not be located. The authorities were unable to verify the exact meteorological conditions at the time of the accident or confirm the extent of injuries to the occupants. Furthermore, essential maintenance records for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not provided to the investigators.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with a suspended Certificate of Airworthiness.
- The Annual Maintenance Inspection (IAM) had been expired since May 5, 2018.
- The aircraft was operating with an overload of passengers, carrying nine passengers in a configuration designed for three.
- The flight was part of an unauthorized operation involving an unidentified mining airstrip.