Cessna 182P Crashes in Mato Grosso After Flying Without Required Authorization

Casualties unknown • CÁRCERES, MT, BR

A Cessna 182P crashed into the Serra do Mangaval mountains during a maintenance ferry flight, after the pilot flew into IMC without the necessary flight authorization.

What happened

On November 30, 2018, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-ICN, was performing a ferry flight from Pimenta Bueno, RO, to Santo Antônio de Leverger, MT, to undergo maintenance. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. During the flight, the aircraft entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) while descending near the city of Cáceres.

As the crew attempted to navigate through heavy cloud cover and rain, a conflict arose between the pilot and the passenger, who was assisting with navigation using a mobile device. The pilot began a descent at approximately 300 feet per minute while maintaining a speed of 140 KIAS. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck the upper portion of the Serra do Mangaval terrain at an altitude of 2,700 feet. The impact caused the aircraft to slide through trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Both occupants sustained serious injuries.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation revealed that the aircraft was not in a legal state for flight. The Cessable 182P had a canceled Airworthiness Certificate, and its annual maintenance inspection had been expired since July 2016. Furthermore, the aircraft was only certified for daytime VFR operations, yet the flight was conducted in weather conditions that were not suitable for VFR.

A critical finding was that the aircraft departed without the required Special Flight Authorization (AEV) from ANAC. Although a second authorization had been requested, it was only issued at 17:27 UTC, five hours after the accident had already occurred. The investigation also noted that the pilot did not file a flight plan or establish contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC). The pilot reported feeling pressure from the operator to complete the flight despite the weather and lack of authorization, fearing for his employment.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operating with an expired annual inspection and a canceled Airworthiness Certificate.
  • The flight was conducted without the necessary Special Flight Authorization (AEV).
  • The pilot flew into inadvertent IMC in an aircraft only certified for VFR operations.
  • The pilot operated the aircraft without a flight plan or ATC communication to avoid radar detection.
  • The crew's decision-making was influenced by organizational pressure to complete the ferry flight despite regulatory and weather constraints.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to fly into instrument conditions in a VFR-only aircraft without the required regulatory authorizations and without a flight plan, driven by operational pressure to complete the maintenance ferry flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2018-11-30 aircraft accident near CÁRCERES, MT, BR?

A Cessna 182P crashed into the Serra do Mangaval mountains during a maintenance ferry flight, after the pilot flew into IMC without the necessary flight authorization.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-11-30 involved a aircraft, registration PTICN, at CÁRCERES, MT, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to fly into instrument conditions in a VFR-only aircraft without the required regulatory authorizations and without a flight plan, driven by operational pressure to complete the maintenance ferry flight.

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