What happened
On June 5, 1997, an EMB-820 C Navajo, registration PT-ENI, operated by Bahia Táxi Aéreo, crashed shortly after departing from Jacobina, Bahia (SNJB). The aircraft was engaged in a cargo transport mission, carrying 86kg of gold. Following a flight from Salvador that was delayed by adverse weather, the crew performed a rushed departure to return to Salvador for a scheduled commercial connection.
Immediately after takeoff, the aircraft entered a sharp left turn and lost control. The aircraft struck an electric utility pole at a height of approximately 7 meters before impacting the ground. The accident resulted in four fatalities, including both crew members and two passengers. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation focused on the engine performance, fuel management, and pilot decision-making. Technical examinations of the engines revealed that while the right engine was operational, the left engine experienced a sudden loss of power. Investigators found a rupture in the clamp connecting the exhaust duct to the left engine's turbocharger inlet; however, they determined this failure alone was insufficient to cause the total loss of power observed.
Analysis of the fuel system showed that the external tanks were full while the internal tanks were nearly empty. Because the aircraft had not refueled in Jacobina, investigators concluded that the left engine failed due to fuel exhaustion in the internal tank. The investigation also noted that the pilot's recent experience was primarily with a Citation aircraft, which utilizes a single-tank system, potentially leading to the failure to switch fuel tanks during the previous flight leg.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the aircraft's performance relative to the manufacturer's emergency procedures. The aircraft had not yet reached the required obstacle clearance speed (V50) when the engine failed. The investigation established that the pilot failed to execute the mandatory procedure of aborting the takeoff and landing on the remaining runway, instead attempting to maintain flight in a single-engine configuration.
Findings
- The left engine suffered a sudden loss of power due to fuel exhaustion in the internal tank.
- The pilot failed to switch from the internal to the external fuel tanks during the previous flight leg.
- The pilot attempted to continue the takeoff in a single-engine configuration despite being below the required speed for obstacle clearance.
- The crew's decision-making was influenced by improper training and the application of procedures from a different aircraft type (Citation).
- There was a lack of adequate training and standardization programs within the operator's organization.
- The takeoff was conducted in a rushed manner following maintenance work on the engine.