What happened
On February 9, 2014, at 20:40 UTC, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration PR-CTM, was performing a visual flight rules (VFR) operation from Foz do Iguaçu, PR, to Maringá, PR. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and five passengers. While on short final approach to runway 10 at Maringá Airport (SBMG), the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot declared an emergency and successfully completed the landing. There were no injuries to the occupants, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the power loss during the approach. Investigators identified that the intake tube of the sixth cylinder had become loose. Notably, the bolts intended to secure the intake tube had not ruptured; rather, they had simply become detached. While the specific cause for the detachment could not be definitively determined, investigators considered maintenance-related hypotheses, such as insufficient torque applied to the mounting bolts or the omission of a washer or bolt during a previous service.
Additionally, the investigation revealed that the aircraft was operating in an overweight condition during both the preceding flight leg from Maring and the current leg from Foz do Iguaçu.