Fatal Engine Failure and Crash of Cessna 210N in Poconé, Brazil

Casualties unknown • CUIABÁ, MT, BR

A Cessna 210N crashed during an emergency landing attempt near Poconé, MT, resulting in four fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.

What happened

On November 12, 2011, at approximately 20:00 UTC, a Cessna 210N, registered as PR-VMG, departed from the Poconé Aerodrome (SWPK) in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The aircraft was operating a private flight toward Fazenda Gaivota (SIAI) with one pilot and three passengers on board. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) without a filed flight plan.

Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field approximately 5 km from the threshold of runway 36 at SWPK. During the descent, the aircraft struck an elevation, which caused it to maintain high speed and subsequently collide with an embankment 35 meters ahead. The impact caused the aircraft to come to an abrupt stop and explode. The aircraft was completely destroyed, and the four fatalities included the pilot and all three passengers.

The investigation

The investigation conducted by SERIPA VI established that the aircraft was operating in violation of several aviation regulations. Although the aircraft was registered as **PR-VM and was previously identified by the US registration N4943U, it lacked a valid Certificate of Airworthiness approved by the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority. Furthermore, the pilot's authorization for overflight in Brazilian territory had expired in March 2011. The investigation also noted that the pilot was operating with an expired medical certificate, which had been invalid since October 2011.

Due to the presence of significant regulatory violations and the fact that the primary safety issues involved the non-compliance with established aeronautical laws, the investigation was interrupted. CENIPA determined that further analysis would not yield new preventive findings, as the necessary safety actions relied on the strict observance of existing regulations.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by an engine failure during takeoff, followed by a high-speed impact with terrain during an emergency landing attempt. Contributing factors included the pilot flying with an expired medical certificate and the aircraft operating without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2011-11-12 aircraft accident near CUIABÁ, MT, BR?

A Cessna 210N crashed during an emergency landing attempt near Poconé, MT, resulting in four fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2011-11-12 involved a aircraft, registration PRVMG, at CUIABÁ, MT, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by an engine failure during takeoff, followed by a high-speed impact with terrain during an emergency landing attempt. Contributing factors included the pilot flying with an expired medical certificate and the aircraft operating without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.

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