What happened
On February 14, 2011, a Cessna 182-E was performing the final leg of its first flight of the day from Taisha to Río Amazonas. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers. At approximately 19:32 UTC, the pilot declared an emergency after experiencing engine power fluctuations, noting that manifold pressure readings were unstable.
While the engine briefly regained power, leading the pilot to believe the issue was resolved, the engine lost power again while flying over Palora. Seeking a safe landing site and avoiding overhead power lines, the pilot opted for an emergency landing on a dirt path within a tea plantation. The terrain was covered in large stones, which caused the nose gear to collapse and eventually detach from the aircraft. The impact also damaged the propeller and ruptured the fuel drain, leading to a fuel leak.
All 4 occupants survived the impact, though two passengers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the engine's performance and maintenance history. While the engine passed a subsequent ground run test without mechanical failure, investigators found that the intake system clamps were extremely loose. This allowed for air leaks that likely caused the observed manifold pressure fluctuations.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed several maintenance irregularities. The aircraft had been grounded for five months due to an expired operating permit, and engine preservation procedures did not strictly follow manufacturer instructions. Discrepancies were also noted regarding the traceability of a recently installed manifold pressure gauge and the lack of proper documentation for a previously overhauled propeller.