What happened
On October 28, 2020, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-JDF, departed from an unregistered location known as Prainha, bound for another unregistered site called Gaúcho, both located in the municipality of Alto Alegre, Roraima. The flight was conducted as a private operation. Following the departure, the aircraft failed to reach its destination and was subsequently reported missing.
Information regarding the disappearance was initially provided to the Amazon Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (ARCC-AZ) by an acquaintance of the pilot. While the initial reports were inconsistent, later information identified the probable departure and arrival points as two unregistered mining sites (garimpos) approximately 7 nautical miles apart. Following the confirmation of the aircraft's disappearance, the Brazilian Air Force launched aerial search operations on November 2, 2020. However, the search was suspended on November 3, 2020, after the area had been covered without any sighting of the aircraft.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the regulatory and maintenance status of the aircraft and the pilot. The Cessna 182P was found to have a valid Airworthiness Certificate and a valid annual maintenance inspection performed in March 202 and a valid Certificate of Airworthiness Verification. The pilot held valid medical and flight licenses, including ratings for single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument flight.
Despite these findings, the investigation faced significant limitations. Investigators were unable to contact the aircraft owner or the operator. Furthermore, the commission could not access the aircraft's engine, propeller, or airframe logbooks, nor could they verify the pilot's flight experience or the aircraft's weight and balance conditions. Because the aircraft was not located, the investigation was concluded in accordance with protocols for missing aircraft.