What happened
On November 4, 2022, an EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UPE, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Fazenda Ana Paula in Itiqular, Mato Grosso. The flight, operated by a private pilot, had departed from the local airfield at approximately 18:00 UTC.
After roughly 30 minutes of flight operations, the pilot noticed a sudden drop in engine RPM and a significant loss of power. Due to the low altitude of the agricultural mission, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby soybean field. During the forced landing, the left landing gear collapsed upon hitting an elevation in the terrain. The impact caused the nose of the aircraft to strike the ground, and the momentum of the fuselage caused the engine to detach from the firewall, ultimately resulting in the aircraft flipping onto its back.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft and the Lycoming IO-540-K1J5D engine. The pilot was found to be fully qualified with a valid medical certificate and extensive experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft's maintenance records were up to date, including a recent 100-hour inspection and engine overhaul.
Technical analysis of the engine components, including spark plugs, magnetos, and the fuel pump, revealed no mechanical abnormalities. While the fuel injectors were unobstructed, investigators found traces of engine oil in injectors 1, 3, and 5. The propeller blades showed evidence of low rotational speed at the moment of impact, consistent with the pilot's report of power loss.
Findings
- The investigation could not find a direct mechanical failure in the rotating components or the ignition system.
- A momentary interruption in the fuel supply was identified as the most probable cause.
- Vapor lock was considered a highly likely contributing factor, where fuel vaporization in the lines interrupts continuous flow, especially under high-temperature conditions.
- The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft suffered substantial damage.