Engine Failure Leads to Emergency Landing in Goiás Sugarcane Field

Casualties unknown • VILA PROPÍCIO, GO, BR

A Cessna T188C experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff during an agricultural spraying operation, resulting in an emergency landing.

What happened

On February 21, 2013, a Cessna T188C, registration PT-WQK, was performing an agricultural spraying mission near Vila Propício, Goiás. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced an engine failure in flight. To mitigate the impact, the pilot jettisoned the chemical load and performed an emergency landing in a nearby sugarcane plantation. The pilot and the passenger survived the incident without injuries, though the aircraft sustained damage.

The investigation

The investigation by SERIPA VI faced significant challenges due to a lack of timely reporting and cooperation. The occurrence was not reported to the authorities until 99 days after the event, by which time the aircraft had been moved to an unknown maintenance facility. Furthermore, the operator failed to provide site photographs or file a police report. Because the aircraft's systems could not be inspected and the operational history was unavailable, the investigators were unable to perform a detailed technical analysis of the engine failure.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operating with an expired Annual Maintenance Inspection, which had been overdue since December 8, 2011.
  • The aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness had expired on January 30, 2013.
  • The investigation was ultimately interrupted because the lack of cooperation and the existing regulatory violations meant that no new safety knowledge could be gained to prevent future accidents.

Probable cause

The investigation was unable to determine the specific mechanical cause of the engine failure due to the lack of available evidence; however, the aircraft was operating in an unairworthy state with both its annual inspection and certificate of airworthiness expired.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2013-02-21 aircraft accident near VILA PROPÍCIO, GO, BR?

A Cessna T188C experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff during an agricultural spraying operation, resulting in an emergency landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2013-02-21 involved a aircraft, registration PTWQK, at VILA PROPÍCIO, GO, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The investigation was unable to determine the specific mechanical cause of the engine failure due to the lack of available evidence; however, the aircraft was operating in an unairworthy state with both its annual inspection and certificate of airworthiness expired.

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