Beechcraft F33A crashes in Mato Grosso do Sul during heavy rain

Casualties unknown • SIDROLÂNDIA, MS, BR

A Beechcraft F33A crashed in Sidrolândia, Brazil, after the pilot attempted a visual flight in heavy rain, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On December 22, 2004, a Beechcraft F33A, registration PT-OBJ, departed from Teruel, MS, bound for Ponta Porã, MS. The flight was planned under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at an altitude of 4,500 feet, carrying a pilot and one passenger.

Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the Curitiba Control Center (ACC-CT) lost radar contact with the aircraft. Witnesses near Fazenda São Martinho observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude through heavy rain formations. Shortly after being spotted circling the area, a loud boom was heard, and the sound of the engine ceased. The wreckage was discovered several hours later by local residents, partially buried in the muddy terrain. The impact was high-speed, and the aircraft was completely destroyed. The pilot and the passenger both sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation established that while the pilot held a valid private pilot license and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight limits, the meteorological conditions were highly unfavorable for VFR operations. The investigation noted that the pilot had been informed by Campo Grande Approach (APP-CG) about the poor weather along the route.

Analysis of the wreckage and the impact pattern—specifically that the aircraft struck the ground at a heading 180 degrees opposite to its intended route—suggested the pilot may have been attempting to maneuver or return to the departure airport while trying to maintain visual contact with the ground. The investigation also confirmed that the engine did not fail due to fuel exhaustion, as a strong smell of fuel was present at the site.

Findings

  • Adverse weather conditions: Heavy rain and low cloud bases (between 1,200 and 1,500 feet) made it impossible to maintain visual references.
  • Flight indiscipline: The pilot chose to proceed with a VFR flight despite being unqualified for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and operating an aircraft not certified for IFR operations.
  • Poor pilot judgment: The pilot failed to correctly assess the risks and variables, deciding to fly despite knowing the weather was unsuitable for the planned flight rules.
  • Inadequate flight planning: The flight plan did not account for the actual meteorological reality of the region at the time of departure.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to operate a VFR-only aircraft in heavy rain and low visibility without IFR qualification, leading to a loss of visual references and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-12-22 aircraft accident near SIDROLÂNDIA, MS, BR?

A Beechcraft F33A crashed in Sidrolândia, Brazil, after the pilot attempted a visual flight in heavy rain, resulting in two fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-12-22 involved a aircraft, registration PTOBJ, at SIDROLÂNDIA, MS, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to operate a VFR-only aircraft in heavy rain and low visibility without IFR qualification, leading to a loss of visual references and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.

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