What happened
On November 17, 2019, a Beechcraft V35B, registration PT-JQZ, was on final approach to runway 09 at the Cascavel Executive Aerodrome (SDSJ) in Paraná, Brazil. The aircraft, which had departed from Governador Celso Ramos, Santa Catarina, carrying a pilot and three passengers, struck trees and subsequently impacted the ground. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and four fatalities (the pilot and all three passengers).
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and flight communications, noting that the pilot had used the registration of a different aircraft, PU-NRL, during radio communications. While investigators found an obstruction in the fuel injector of cylinder number 2—containing traces of polyurethane and silica—they determined that the failure of a single cylinder was insufficient to cause the engine to stop entirely.
Further analysis of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector valve was found in an intermediate position between the left and right tanks. Testing confirmed that this specific position prevented the minimum fuel flow required to sustain engine operation. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's annual maintenance inspection had expired several days prior to the accident.
Findings
- The incorrect positioning of the fuel selector valve likely caused the engine to lose necessary fuel flow.
- The pilot's previous flight experience was primarily in different aircraft models where fuel selectors operated with different settings (such as "on/off" or "both"), which may have influenced the error during an emergency.
- An obstruction in the number 2 cylinder's fuel injector caused a loss of power, though not a total engine shutdown.
- The pilot used an incorrect aircraft registration during radio communications, potentially to obscure the fact that the aircraft's maintenance inspection was overdue.