What happened
On November 27, 2015, a Cessna A1-88B, registration PT-FFB, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Planalto da Serra, Mato Grosso. The aircraft had departed from an airstrip at Fazenda Laranjal to apply pesticides. While flying over an area of native forest, the aircraft experienced an engine failure in flight. The pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing in an area of dense vegetation. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, the pilot emerged from the crash uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA VI established that the aircraft was operating under several regulatory non-compliances. The aircraft, which was certified to operate on AvGas, had been converted to run on ethanol (AEHC) without the operator possessing the required Special Flight Authorization (AEV). Furthermore, the investigation found that the aircraft's Annual Maintenance Inspection (IAM) had been expired since July 19, 2014. Additionally, the aircraft's logbooks, including the airframe, engine, and propeller records, were not up to date.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an engine failure in flight.
- The aircraft was operating with an expired annual maintenance inspection.
- The engine was being operated on ethanol despite the aircraft being certified for AvGas, and the operator lacked the necessary special authorization for this fuel type.
- Maintenance documentation, including the aircraft logbook and component records, was outdated.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the occurrence were favorable for flight.