What happened
On December 7, 2016, an EMB-721D aircraft, registration PT-REI, departed from the Flores Aerodrome (SWFN) in Amazonas, Brazil, bound for Novo Aripuanã. The flight was intended to transport cargo and five passengers, with the pilot at the controls.
Seconds after departing from runway 11, the aircraft began a descending left turn. The aircraft lost altitude and struck trees in a nearby wooded area before impacting the ground. The force of the impact caused the aircraft to capsize and subsequently catch fire and explode. The aircraft was completely destroyed. The pilot and four passengers died at the scene, while one passenger was transported to a hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of events following takeoff and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the propeller showed evidence of low RPM, consistent with an idle or residual rotation state at the moment of impact, suggesting a loss of power.
While the pilot was highly experienced with approximately 6,000 flight hours, the investigation noted that the engine maintenance logs were out of date. Furthermore, investigators analyzed the possibility of an overweight condition, noting that the aircraft took off very close to the end of the runway, which could have compromised the aircraft's ability to maintain a safe glide ratio in the event of an engine failure.
Findings
- Engine failure in flight was the primary event, though the specific cause of the power loss could not be definitively identified, noting a failure to comply with an applicable Airworthiness Directive.
- The aircraft likely operated in an overweight condition, as the pilot proceeded with the flight without adjusting the previous day's fueling and loading plan after the final passenger count was confirmed.
- The pilot's decision-making was influenced by a complacent attitude toward risk, potentially driven by high levels of self-confidence and an informal professional relationship with the aircraft owner.
- Inadequate flight planning contributed to the accident, as the aircraft was fueled based on unknown passenger loads, potentially affecting performance and emergency landing options.