What happened
On September 30, 2019, an amateur-built Alto Henkel, registration PU-XIK, was conducting a local flight near Ipaussu, São Paulo, after departing from Andirá, Paraná. During the flight, the pilot experienced a drop in manifold pressure, which was immediately followed by a total engine failure.
In response to the loss of power, the pilot executed an emergency landing in an open field. While the aircraft maintained a controlled descent with low sink rate and reduced speed, the landing resulted in a nose-over (ground loop) upon touchdown. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the pilot held valid medical and flight certifications, and the aircraft possessed valid experimental certificates. Meteorological conditions at the time of the occurrence were favorable for flight.
Investigators examined the ground markings, which indicated that the pilot successfully managed the emergency procedures to minimize impact. However, the investigation faced significant limitations regarding the technical history of the aircraft. Because the aircraft was operating under an experimental flight authorization, the maintenance program, inspection logs, and engine/airframe logbooks were not provided to the commission. Due to the lack of mandatory traceability requirements for this specific operation, the investigators could not evaluate the adequacy of previous maintenance services or determine the specific mechanical cause of the engine failure.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure remains undetermined due to the unavailability of maintenance and inspection records.
- The pilot's successful execution of emergency procedures prevented serious injury.