What happened
On April 4, 2007, a Cessna 210R, registration PT-LRG, departed from runway 14 at the Santa Genoveva Aerodrome in Goiânia, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 300 feet, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power.
In response to the engine failure, the pilot initially attempted to maneuver toward a grassy area to the right. However, upon recognizing a ditch in that location, the pilot reversed the turn to the left to seek a flatter surface. The aircraft subsequently performed an emergency landing on a flat area located on the right side of runway 32, in the opposite direction of the initial takeoff. The impact with the ground was abrupt, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the three passengers remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which were found to be up to date, and verified the pilot's qualifications and medical certification, both of which were valid. The investigation focused on the cause of the engine power loss, specifically looking at fuel quality and the engine's condition.
Investigators analyzed fuel samples taken from the aircraft's tanks immediately following the accident. While samples from the refueling truck were of good quality, the sample taken from the aircraft's right tank revealed a two-phase system containing both gasoline and water. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot's fuel draining procedure was insufficient. Instead of following the aircraft manual's requirement to drain approximately two liters per tank to ensure contaminants were removed, the pilot used a small sampling container that held less than half a liter, failing to remove enough fuel to clear potential water contamination.
Findings
- The presence of water in the fuel caused the engine failure.
- The pilot's fuel draining procedure was inadequate, as the volume of fuel drained was insufficient to ensure the removal of any accumulated water.
- The pilot's decision-making regarding flight commands and piloting judgment during the emergency maneuver.