What happened
On September 15, 2010, at approximately 20:00 UTC, a Neiva EMB-711T, registration PT-NVM, departed from the Carazinho Aerodrome (SSKZ) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The aircraft was conducting a local scenic flight with a pilot and three passengers on board.
Shortly after departing from runway 11, as the aircraft reached an altitude of 350 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine mid-flight but was unsuccessful. Realizing that returning to the runway was not possible, the pilot executed an emergency landing in an unprepared field near runway 29. The landing was completed successfully, and there were no injuries to the four occupants or damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the condition of the fuel system. Investigators examined the electric fuel pump, which had been active prior to takeoff. The inspection revealed a fuel leak at the pump drain, caused by a dent in the pump body. This leak allowed air bubbles to enter the fuel supply line, leading to pressure fluctuations.
Further examination of the pump assembly revealed that maintenance had been performed improperly. Specifically, the investigators found that there was no Loctite used for sealing and securing the connection between the pump body and the housing. Additionally, a non-standard screw was found among the assembly, indicating improvised maintenance practices. The investigation also noted that there were no maintenance records available for the most recent installation or overhaul of this specific pump.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by the malfunction of the electric fuel pump.
- The malfunction resulted from air entering the fuel line due to a leak caused by a dented pump body.
- Improper maintenance performed in disagreement with technical manuals was the primary contributing factor, characterized by the use of incorrect hardware and improper sealing techniques.