What happened
On July 7, 2009, at approximately 17:20 UTC, a Beechcraft A35, registration N8540A, departed from Aeródromo 14 BIS in Paraná, Brazil, bound for Afonso Pena Airport (SBCT). The flight was a private operation transporting a pilot and one passenger.
While approximately 3 nautical miles from the destination, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of power and the engine subsequently stopped. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field. Although the landing on the firm, flat terrain was controlled, the aircraft struck an embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the propeller, engine cowling, and lower fuselage. Both occupants survived the accident without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the pilot's operational history. The investigation revealed that the aircraft's maintenance records were outdated, and the propeller logbook could not be located. Notably, the fuel selector valve had been installed in an inverted manner, meaning the "OFF" position actually allowed fuel flow from the auxiliary tank, while the auxiliary tank position blocked it.
Furthermore, investigators found that the auxiliary fuel pump (booster) had improperly connected inlet and outlet lines, which could allow air to enter the fuel system. The investigation also noted that the pilot lacked the specific FAA authorization required to operate a US-registered aircraft in Brazilian airspace and was not fully adapted to the specific systems of this aircraft model.