What happened
On June 19, 2017, a Cessna T2/210R, registration PR-KKR, departed from the Presidente João Figueiredo Municipal Aerodrome in Sinop, Mato Grosso, bound for Água Boa. The flight, which was operating as a private mission to transport personnel, included a pilot and three passengers.
Approximately one hour and 40 minutes into the flight, the aircraft suffered an engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. Following the failure, the pilot attempted several engine restarts without success. The pilot subsequently performed an emergency landing on the MT-020 highway, located between the municipalities of Canarana and Gaúcha do Norte. During the landing, the aircraft struck small trees at the edge of the roadway, causing light damage to the right wing's anti-collision light.
After the landing, the pilot arranged for fuel to be brought to the site by an acquaintance. Once refueled, the pilot took off from the highway and flew the aircraft to the nearest aerodrome. This subsequent flight was conducted without notifying or obtaining authorization from the relevant aviation authorities.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by SERIPA VI, established that the pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot License and a valid multi-engine rating, which effectively maintained his single-engine rating. The pilot's medical certificate was also valid. The aircraft was in a condition for safe operation, with a valid airworthiness certificate, up-to-date maintenance logs, and was within weight and balance limits.
The investigation noted that the authorities only became aware of the incident through media reports, as no official communication was made following the initial emergency landing. Furthermore, the investigation identified flight indiscipline regarding the unauthorized ferry flight performed after the fuel exhaustion event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion.
- The pilot and all three passengers were uninjured.
- The aircraft sustained light damage.
- The pilot performed an unauthorized flight to a nearby aerodrome following the emergency landing without notifying competent authorities.