What happened
On November 30, 2014, an Embraer EMB-710C, registration PT-NOD, was performing a flight from Ourilândia do Norte, Pará, to the A'ukre and Pykararankre villages for the purpose of transporting and removing personnel. During the leg of the flight from Pykararankre back toward Ourilândia do Norte, the aircraft's engine stopped functioning approximately eight minutes after departure due to fuel exhaustion.
The pilot performed an emergency landing on a plowed field at a farm located along the flight route. Upon contact with the ground, the aircraft traveled approximately 80 meters before coming to a complete stop. The impact caused the nose landing gear to break and resulted in damage to the propeller blades and the auxiliary landing gear. All five occupants—the pilot, a nursing technician, and three indigenous passengers—emerged from the incident uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the fuel supply and the aircraft's operational configuration. While the pilot stated that the tanks had been completely filled shortly before takeoff, the aircraft owner reported that refueling had occurred the previous night. Investigators found no evidence of leaks within the fuel system; however, the amount of fuel remaining in the tanks was determined to be within the unuseable fuel margin.
The investigation also noted discrepancies regarding the flight's nature and the aircraft's load. Although the pilot initially described the mission as a simple overflight of the areas, evidence suggested the aircraft had landed at the villages to transport passengers. Furthermore, the investigation established that the aircraft was carrying five people, which exceeded the maximum capacity of four occupants specified in its airworthiness certificate. Additionally, the landing strips at the A'ukre and Pykararankre villages were not registered with the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
Findings
- The engine failed due to a lack of fuel.
- The aircraft was operating with an occupancy exceeding the limits defined in its airworthiness certificate.
- The flight involved the use of unregistered and uncertified landing strips.
- Inadequate flight planning and a lack of management supervision contributed to the occurrence.