What happened
On August 22, 2013, a Piper PA-3-220T, registration PR-PME, departed from the Patrocínio Aerodrome (SNPJ) for a flight over a coffee farm near Presidente Olegário, Minas Gerais. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers. During the flight over Fazenda São João, the pilot reported a sudden and momentary loss of power in the right engine.
Upon being informed by a passenger that the farm's coffee drying field could serve as a landing site, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing on the approximately 400-meter-long surface. During the approach, the aircraft struck three electrical wires positioned about 8 meters above the ground. The impact caused the wires to break and strike the aircraft, damaging the nose, the right engine, and the right wingtip. Despite the impact, the aircraft remained airborne and successfully landed. All three occupants escaped the incident without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine's performance and the circumstances leading to the landing. Technical analysis conducted by the DCTA found no evidence of engine malfunction. The findings indicated that the engine was fully operational and producing power at the time of the collision.
Investigators also noted that while the pilot reported an engine failure, evidence suggested the landing at the non-certified field may have been pre-planned, using the engine issue as a justification for landing at an unauthorized site. The investigation highlighted that the use of non-homologated aerodromes is prohibited under Brazilian aeronautical regulations.