What happened
On October 13, 2018, an experimental ultralight aircraft, registration PU-OGS, departed from Mogi-Mirim Aerodrome (SDMJ) in São Paulo, Brazil, bound for Presidente Castelo Branco, Paraná. The flight was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
Approximately seven minutes after takeoff, while the aircraft was at cruise altitude, the pilot noticed a simultaneous drop in the engine's power indication parameters. The pilot attempted to follow the aircraft's emergency checklists to restart the engine, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Due to the low altitude and the aircraft's glide ratio, the pilot determined that reaching an airstrip was not possible and instead executed an emergency landing in a nearby sugarcane field. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the landing gear and propellers, though both occupants emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight history, the pilot's credentials, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid medical certificate and the appropriate advanced ultralight rating (UATE), and possessed experience in this aircraft type. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for flight.
During the inspection of the aircraft, investigators identified that the engine, a Jabiru 3300, was not listed in the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) records as a certified aeronautical product. Because the engine was an uncertified component, the investigation was limited by regulatory protocols (NSCA 3-13), which preclude investigating the airworthiness of non-certified parts. Consequently, CENIPA was unable to perform a technical analysis of the engine's operational parameters or determine the specific cause of the power loss.