What happened
On July 14, 2018, at approximately 18:40 UTC, a Christen Eagle II (registration PR-ZTE) departed from Pará de Minas Aerodrome (SNPA) for Bom Despacho Aerodrome (SNGQ) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The flight was intended to participate in an aviation festival at the destination. On board were a pilot and one passenger.
Upon arrival at SNGQ, the aircraft performed a low pass along runway 20. Following this pass, the pilot attempted an aerobatic maneuver by pulling the aircraft into a vertical position. During this maneuver, the crew lost control of the aircraft. The plane entered a spin and descended vertically, striking the terrain approximately 550 meters from the threshold of runway 02. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the aircraft's airworthiness and the circumstances of the maneuver. While the pilot held a valid medical certificate and single-engine land rating, the investigation revealed significant regulatory non-compliance regarding the aircraft's maintenance status.
Investigators found that the aircraft's Flight Authorization Certificate (CAV) had been invalidated because the Annual Maintenance Inspection Report (RIAM) had expired on November 24, 2017. Furthermore, maintenance records for the airframe and engine could not be located, and some maintenance services had been performed by unapproved workshops. Due to the lack of surviving witnesses and the death of the occupants, the investigators could not definitively determine which person was operating the controls at the moment of the loss of control.
Findings
- The aircraft's annual maintenance inspection was significantly overdue.
- The aircraft was operating with an invalid flight authorization.
- Maintenance logs for the engine and airframe were missing.
- The aircraft was being operated in violation of maintenance regulations.
- The pilot had limited experience in aerobatic flight.