What happened
On November 25, 2019, an Embraer 711T, registration PT-NUY, departed from the Penápolis Aerodrome (SDPN) in São Paulo, Brazil, bound for Marília (SBML). The flight was a private repositioning mission with a single pilot on board.
During the climb, upon reaching approximately 2,500 feet, the aircraft experienced intense engine vibration followed by a significant loss of power. After attempting to stabilize the engine at a level altitude, the pilot determined that returning to the departure airport was not feasible. Consequently, the pilot executed an emergency landing in a nearby sugarcane plantation. The aircraft touched the ground with the landing gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and the pilot's credentials. While the pilot held valid medical and flight qualifications, and the aircraft possessed a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, several discrepancies were noted in the documentation. The logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date, and the aircraft's primary logbook had not been updated since its last flight in January 2019.
Because the aircraft had been inactive for approximately ten months, investigators could not verify if proper engine preservation procedures had been followed according to the Lycoming Operator’s Manual or relevant Service Letters. Furthermore, the lack of recent logbook entries made it impossible to determine the total hours elapsed since the last engine inspection.
Regarding the fuel system, investigators found no fuel in the right tank and only a small amount remaining in the left tank. While fuel and oil analyses showed no signs of contamination, the lack of refueling receipts meant the accuracy of the initial fuel load could not be verified.
Physical examination of the propeller revealed fractures in the blade pitch change links, showing signs of both fatigue and overload. Investigators also noted that the propeller blades struck the ground in a manner consistent with low engine power.
Findings
- The aircraft was within weight and balance limits at takeoff.
- The propeller pitch change links exhibited fractures that could cause aerodynamic imbalance and subsequent power loss.
- The exact primary cause remains undetermined due to conflicting possibilities involving potential fuel exhaustion, propeller link failure, or improper engine preservation during a ten-month period of inactivity.
- Maintenance and flight planning documentation were not properly updated.