What happened
On December 16, 2013, at 19:42 UTC, a Cessna 180E, registration PT-BRB, was conducting a local skydiving flight departing from Aeródromo da Estância Hércules in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and four skydivers. During the descent phase of the flight, approximately 36 minutes after takeoff, the pilot noticed a loss of engine power. Despite performing all standard emergency procedures to restore engine function, the engine failed completely.
The pilot subsequently executed an emergency landing on a rural road. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft's fuselage, wings, and main landing gear. The pilot survived the occurrence without injuries.
The investigation
The investigation established that the engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion. The pilot had been using an incorrect fuel consumption calculation, estimating 30 liters per flight regardless of duration. While the actual average consumption was approximately 63 liters per hour, the pilot's calculations led him to believe there were 70 liters remaining at takeoff, when in reality, only 38 liters were on board. This amount was insufficient to sustain the flight duration.
Investigators also noted that the aircraft's maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were outdated, missing required 25-hour, 50-hour, and 100-hour inspections. Furthermore, while the aircraft was registered for private use, the investigation noted the operator's involvement in a local skydiving business, suggesting potential unauthorized commercial use. The investigation was further complicated by the fact that the accident was not initially reported and the aircraft was moved from the site to a private residence shortly after the event.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning regarding fuel consumption and reserves.
- Incorrect estimation of fuel burn rates leading to fuel exhaustion.
- Incomplete maintenance records for required periodic inspections.
- Potential use of a private aircraft for commercial skydiving operations.