What happened
On June 16, 2007, at approximately 12:30 UTC, a Beechcraft 35, registration PT-KUQ, was performing a private flight departing from Vitória da Conquista Aerodrome (SBQV) in Bahia, Brazil. The flight was destined for Pará de Minas, Minas Gerais.
Shortly after takeoff from runway 15, as the aircraft reached approximately 100 feet and the landing gear had been retracted, the engine lost power. The pilot immediately responded by extending the landing gear and executed a forced landing. The aircraft touched down on a waterlogged area approximately 60 and 600 meters from the threshold of the opposite runway (runway 33), slightly to the left of the runway centerline. Upon impact, the aircraft entered a ground loop, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Both the pilot and the passenger survived the occurrence without injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined several potential causes for the engine failure. The investigation considered possibilities such as a failure in the propeller pitch control electric motor, the presence of solid particles in the fuel, failure of both magnetos, failure of the electric fuel pump, or fuel contamination at the departure airport. Post-accident testing indicated that these systems and components were functioning normally, effectively ruling out these specific mechanical failures.
However, the investigation noted that the pilot had failed to perform pre-flight inspections prior to both the initial departure from Belo Horizonte and the subsequent departure from Vitória da Conquista. This omission included the failure to drain the fuel tanks. While the investigators considered the presence of water in the fuel as a remote possibility—noting that such contamination would more likely have caused a failure during the first leg of the day—the lack of proper pre-flight procedures was highlighted as a significant deviation from manufacturer protocols.
Notably, the maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were lost from the accident site, which prevented a detailed analysis of the aircraft's recent maintenance history.
Findings
- The exact cause of the engine failure remains undetermined.
- The pilot was qualified and possessed sufficient experience for the flight type.
- The aircraft was within weight and center of gravity limits and held a valid airworthiness certificate.
- The pilot failed to perform required pre-flight inspections and did not drain the fuel tanks before departure.