What happened
On November 11, 2018, at approximately 20:30 UTC, an experimental Ypiranga aircraft, registration PP-ZWA, crashed into a soybean plantation in a rural area of Querência, Mato Grosso. The aircraft had departed from the São Carlos Farm agricultural landing strip for a local flight. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the aircraft struck the ground roughly 2.5 nautical miles from the departure point. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that destroyed the airframe. The pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that while the pilot held a valid commercial pilot license and a valid medical certificate, the aircraft's airworthiness status was highly irregular. Records indicated that the aircraft's registration had been cancelled since February 1, 2010, meaning the aircraft was not legally airworthy at the time of the accident. Furthermore, investigators could not locate any maintenance records for the aircraft.
Discrepancies were also noted regarding the aircraft's configuration and ownership. Although the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry (RAB) indicated the aircraft should only have one seat, investigators found two seats within the wreckage. Additionally, while reports suggested the pilot owned the aircraft, official registry records listed a different owner.