What happened
On February 21, 2004, an Embraer EMB-810C, registration PT-RBQ, was operating a charter flight from Rio Branco to Feijó, Acre, carrying a pilot and six passengers. Approximately 42 nautical miles from its destination, the aircraft experienced a failure of the left engine, causing a loss of altitude.
In response to the power loss, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on an unregistered landing strip known as Seringal Soares in Manoel Urbano. During the approach, the pilot overshot the runway alignment twice, resulting in a low approach. The aircraft touched down 60 meters before the runway threshold. Due to the wet surface conditions, the aircraft drifted to the left after touchdown, causing the left landing gear to strike an obstacle. The impact caused the gear to collapse and the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees before coming to a stop. All seven occupants escaped the incident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the mechanical condition of the engine and the aircraft's maintenance records. The investigation identified a crack in the fuel line connecting the fuel flow distributor to the fuel pressure indication instrument. This crack allowed air to enter the system, leading to fluctuating RPM, loss of power, and inconsistent fuel flow. Investigators noted a hypothesis that the crack may have been caused by excessive torque during installation or the use of improper tools.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed significant discrepancies in the maintenance logs for the airframe, engines, and propellers, noting that the service and hour entries were outdated. It was also noted that the aircraft was removed from the accident site prior to the completion of the initial investigation actions without authorization from the competent authorities.
Findings
- Maintenance of the aircraft
- Pilot judgment and flight maneuvering
- Flight instruction and command application