What happened
On 25 November 2021, a PA-34-220T, registration PP-WRS, was conducting a private night flight from Campinas (SDAM) to Rio de Janeiro (SBJR). While cruising at 13,000 feet, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Services (ATS) to report that both engines had shut down. Shortly after this communication, the aircraft lost radar contact and disappeared.
Search efforts by the Brazilian Navy and private individuals recovered only small fragments of wreckage, including a piece of the right wing, from the sea. The remains of the pilot in command were recovered on the day of the accident, but the two passengers remained missing.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of events following the engine failure. Investigators analyzed radar data, which showed the aircraft performing right turns and entering a rapid descent near the Paraty coastline prior to impact.
The investigation examined the aircraft's electrical systems, noting that a dual engine failure would cause the alternators to stop supplying power, leaving the aircraft dependent on battery life. Because the aircraft was operating at night with increased electrical loads (such as internal and external lighting), the battery endurance would be significantly reduced. Investigators also reviewed the pilot's recent flight history, noting a lack of recent night flight experience and a lack of recorded instrument flight experience at night.
Findings
- The pilot was not qualified for the specific type of flight, as they lacked the required recent night takeoff and landing experience mandated by regulations.
- The aircraft experienced a dual engine failure during the cruise phase.
- There is a strong hypothesis that inadequate flight planning or improper use of the mixture lever led to fuel exhaustion.
- The loss of both engines likely led to a total electrical failure as the battery depleted, causing the cockpit instruments to go dark.
- The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation due to the loss of essential flight instruments (such as the attitude indicator) and the lack of visual references during a night flight over the sea, resulting in a high-energy impact with the water.
Safety action
CENIPA has recommended that the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) disseminate the lessons learned from this investigation to Civil Aviation Training Centers to promote operational safety and discuss the contributing factors identified in this accident.