What happened
On July 21, 2018, at approximately 20:10 UTC, a Microleve P2004 Bravo, registration PU-MHV, departed from the Clube Céu Aerodrome (SIAN) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The aircraft was performing a private flight destined for the Ten. Brig. Ar Waldir de Vasconcelos Aerodrome (SIWV) with one pilot and one passenger on board.
Immediately following rotation, the aircraft veered to the right and failed to gain sufficient altitude. The aircraft subsequently struck an embankment located approximately 340 meters from the departure end of runway 13. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire, resulting in its total destruction. The pilot sustained fatal injuries due to smoke inhalation and burns, while the passenger passed away due to an acute myocardial infarction.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the crew's qualifications. While the aircraft held a valid Experimental Flight Authorization (CAVE), investigators noted a lack of traceability for certain maintenance services due to the absence of airframe and engine logbooks. A discrepancy was also identified regarding the pilot's medical certificate (CMA), which, based on the pilot's age, should have expired prior to the accident date, despite appearing valid in the national aviation system.
Regarding the flight dynamics, the investigation focused on the sudden deviation from the takeoff centerline. Because the aircraft was destroyed by fire, a definitive mechanical failure of the engine or flight controls could not be confirmed. However, the medical examiner's report for the passenger revealed that his death was caused by a heart attack rather than the impact itself.
Findings
- The aircraft deviated from the takeoff path and struck an embankment shortly after departure.
- The pilot's death was caused by injuries sustained in the crash.
- The passenger's death was caused by an acute myocardial infarction.
- The sudden medical emergency involving the passenger may have caused an involuntary interference with the flight controls or distracted the pilot during a critical phase of flight.