What happened
On November 19, 2021, a PA-31 aircraft, registration PT-DQU, was conducting a private flight from Crepurizão Aerodrome in Itaituba, Brazil, with an intended destination in Guyana. Approximately five hours into the flight, the aircraft experienced a failure in the right engine, followed by a failure in the left engine.
Faced with total power loss, the crew performed an emergency landing at Jatapuzinho Aerodrome (SJLJ) in Caroebe, RR. During the landing roll on the dirt runway, the aircraft failed to stop within the available distance, traveling the entire length of the runway and overrunning the longitudinal edge. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 10 meters beyond the opposite threshold. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, including breakage of the auxiliary landing gear and damage to the fuselage, propellers, and engines. Both the pilot and the conductor escaped the occurrence unharmed.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the engine failures and the subsequent runway excursion. Investigators examined meteorological data, which revealed significant weather formations along the flight path. It was determined that the crew likely performed deviations to maintain visual flight conditions, which increased the flight duration and impacted the aircraft's fuel range.
The investigation also scrutinized the qualifications of the occupants. While the pilot held a valid medical certificate, they lacked the required multi-engine rating (MLTE) for this aircraft model. Furthermore, the individual acting as the aircraft conductor lacked any documented pilot training, license, or medical certification in Brazil. Additionally, the investigation noted that the aircraft's flight plan had not been filed, and the available runway length at the landing site was reportedly only 400 meters, despite a declared dimension of 700 meters.
Findings
- Fuel starvation was the primary cause of the engine failures following extended flight time due to weather-related deviations.
- Inadequate flight planning regarding meteorological conditions and the aircraft's range.
- Insufficient pilot experience, as the pilot lacked the specific multi-engine rating for the PA-31 and had limited total flight time.
- Airport infrastructure limitations, specifically the discrepancy between the declared and actual available runway length at the emergency landing site.
- Unqualified personnel operating the aircraft, specifically the conductor who lacked any legal aeronautical credentials.