Fatal Crash of Fenatracoop Twin-Engine Aircraft at Londrina (PT-EFQ)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A twin-engine aircraft owned by Fenatracoop (Federação Nacional dos Trabalhadores Celestitas nas Cooperativas no Brasil) departed Cuiabá-Marechal Rondon Airport for Londrina. The flight carried two pilots and six passengers, consisting of three adults and three children. ## Approach and Crash Sequence During final approach to Runway 13 at Londrina-Governador José Richa, the pilot reported a loss of power on the left engine to air traffic control. Shortly afterward, control of the aircraft was lost. The aircraft crashed into a hangar located 9.2 km short of the runway, which was housing six tanker trucks. Subsequent explosions completely destroyed both the aircraft and the hangar. ## Casualties All eight occupants on board were killed in the crash. No injuries were reported on the ground. ## Official Contributing Factors The investigation identified several contributing factors, with aircraft maintenance confirmed as a contributor. On the right engine, a loose fuel tube fixing nut for the No. 3 cylinder distributor allowed fuel leakage, and a poorly adjusted turbocharger bypass valve clamp caused exhaust gas leakage. On the left engine, impurities composed of soil and fuel agglomerates were found clogging nozzles 2, 4, and 6. The origin of this material could not be determined, though it may have been deposited during a long maintenance period from December 13, 2012, to April 29, 2016. Other undetermined factors included communication difficulties between the pilots, a passive copilot posture affecting team dynamics, potential anxiety influencing pilot judgment, limited pilot experience with the GARMIN GTN 650 navigation system, and decision-making issues, including taking off without identifying the cause of an active warning light. The similarity of waypoint names in the RNAV procedure, combined with unfamiliarity with the navigation system, may have confused the pilots regarding their position relative to the runway.