What happened
On December 3, 2008, at approximately 19:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-710C, registration PT-NGM, departed from an uncertified airstrip known as Garimpo 2002 in the Amazon region. The flight was intended to transport one pilot and three passengers to Laranjal do Jari, AP. During the climb, while the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the issue by switching fuel tanks, but the engine only briefly resumed operation before failing completely.
Seeking an emergency landing site, the pilot located an abandoned, overgrown airstrip known as "Norte/Sul." Due to heavy vegetation obstructing the runway, a collision with obstacles was unavoidable. During the landing, the aircraft's right wing tip struck a large tree, causing the loss of the fuel tank assembly, and a subsequent impact caused the left wing to detach. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, all four occupants survived the accident without injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft and the operational context of the flight. The investigation revealed several significant irregularities regarding the aircraft's maintenance and configuration. Specifically, the fuel tank caps had been modified with improvised gaskets and obstructed vent holes to prevent fuel loss due to temperature changes. Furthermore, the right tank cap featured an unauthorized locking mechanism.
Investigators also noted evidence suggesting the engine may have been modified with cylinders from a higher-horsepower model (potentially increasing output from 235 HP to 260 HP) to improve performance for mining operations. This modification would have significantly increased fuel consumption. The investigation also found that passengers were being transported in the cargo compartment without seats or safety belts, and the aircraft was operating from an uncertified airstrip using fuel transported in irregular, unmaintained containers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was likely fuel exhaustion (dry tank).
- Inadequate flight planning and fuel management contributed to the incident.
- The aircraft's fuel consumption was likely higher than planned due to unauthorized engine modifications and frequent takeoff/landing cycles.
- The presence of a "mining culture" (cultura do garimpo) promoted unsafe operational practices, including the use of uncertified airstrips and improper fuel handling.
- The aircraft was being operated with unauthorized modifications to the fuel system and engine components.