What happened
On October 24, 2021, a Cessna T188C, registration PR-PRB, was conducting a ferry flight from Sapezal, Mato Grosso, to Vilhena, Rondônia. The aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and was utilizing ethanol as fuel under a special authorization. During the approach to Caputi Aerodrome (SD9A), while the aircraft was joining the traffic circuit for runway 20, the engine failed.
The pilot attempted to manage the situation, but the engine shut down completely. At an altitude of approximately 300 feet, the pilot was unable to reach the runway and performed an emergency landing in a forested area approximately 230 meters short of the runway threshold. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, landing gear, wings, flaps, and the right-hand aileron, but there was no fire following the impact. The pilot suffered no injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the circumstances leading to the fuel exhaustion. Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system and found that the fuel tanks were empty and there was no residual fuel in the fuel distribution valve.
The investigation also reviewed meteorological data, which showed strong headwinds during the final segment of the flight. Due to decreasing cloud ceilings, the pilot had to fly at a lower altitude to maintain VFR conditions, which significantly increased fuel consumption. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the refueling process, noting that fuel was being transported in the aircraft's hopper and replenished via intermediate landings, a process that lacked formal oversight.
Findings
- Fuel exhaustion was the primary cause of the engine failure.
- Adverse meteorological conditions, specifically strong headwinds and low ceilings, forced a lower flight level and increased fuel burn.
- Inadequate flight planning failed to provide the regulatory required fuel reserve of 30 minutes.
- Organizational informality contributed to the risk, as there was a lack of control over refueling procedures and a reliance on informal practices.
- The pilot's flight altitude during the traffic pattern was below the standard prescribed height, limiting the opportunity to attempt emergency procedures.