What happened
On August 10, 2007, a Piper PA-28, registration PT-KMV, departed from the Manuel Ribas Aerodrome (SSMR) in Paraná, Brazil, bound for Londrina (SBLO). The flight was a private ferry mission carrying a pilot and one passenger. Approximately seven minutes into the flight, the aircraft experienced an engine failure.
In response to the loss of power, the pilot performed an emergency landing on an unpasted road located at Fazenda Três Marias. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear struck a rock, causing the gear to detach from the airframe. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the event, though both occupants remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine group and the aircraft's various systems but found no physical evidence to explain the engine failure prior to the accident. The pilot reported experiencing RPM fluctuations immediately before the engine stopped.
Investigators noted that the aircraft had been stationary in Manoel Ribas for thirty days while undergoing nose gear adjustments. Because the aircraft had been refueled for the return trip prior to this period, investigators considered the possibility of fuel contamination. However, because the aircraft had been partially disassembled and the fuel tanks emptied before investigators could arrive at the repair shop, a physical fuel sample could not be obtained for laboratory analysis.
Findings
- The pilot was properly qualified with valid medical and technical certifications.
- The aircraft was airworthy, with all maintenance logs up to date and within weight and balance limits.
- The aircraft had been parked for 30 days in the same location prior to the flight.
- Fuel contamination was identified as the most probable cause of the engine failure, despite the pilot's report that tanks were drained and performance checks were completed before takeoff.