Twin-Engine Mail Flight Crash-Lands After Right Engine Failure in Brazil (PT-LFP)

Accident Overview

A twin-engine aircraft operating a mail flight from Varginha-Major-Brigadeiro Trompowsky Airport to Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport experienced a loss of power in the right engine during initial climb. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude and crash-landed in an open field. After touching down, it slid for approximately 100 meters before coming to rest and bursting into flames. Both pilots on board evacuated with minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a loss of power on the right engine for undetermined reasons. Several contributing findings were identified:

• Poor flight preparation on the part of the crew.
• The crew did not know the exact weight of the mail or cargo.
• The crew lacked sufficient training or instruction regarding a possible loss of engine power at takeoff.
• Poor engine maintenance: the right engine had experienced power issues in the past that had not been resolved.
• Poor crew coordination.
• When the loss of power occurred on the right engine, the captain asked the copilot to raise the landing gear and preferred to resolve the emergency situation alone.
• Poor evaluation of the aircraft's performance regarding weight and balance values and center of gravity.

Post-Accident Condition

Both pilots escaped with minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. The slide distance was about 100 meters from the initial point of impact to the final resting position.