What happened
On September 23, 1994, at 06:35 local time, an Embraer E-110E, registration PT-GJY, crashed near Tarauacá, Acre. The aircraft was performing a short cargo and crew flight from Feijó to Tarauacá. During the flight, the aircraft's right engine power was significantly reduced, and the fuel cutoff valve for that engine was found in the 'off' position.
As the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude, the crew attempted to retract the landing gear to reduce drag, but the gear was still in transit at the moment of impact. The aircraft struck a tall tree, causing the right wing to break, and entered a steep descent. The aircraft ultimately impacted the ground in an inverted position, followed by a severe post-crash fire that destroyed the airframe. The two crew members sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and engine components, noting that while the left engine was operating at high power, the right engine showed signs of low power. The investigation focused on the engine's fuel control unit (FCU) and the P3 air filter. Although the fire prevented a definitive assessment of the filter, investigators noted that the operator had not received guidance on inspecting or cleaning this specific component.
Furthermore, the investigation looked into an incident from the previous day, where the same aircraft had veered off the runway in Feijó. The commander had performed only a visual inspection and decided to proceed with the flight despite the co-pilot's expressed safety concerns. The investigation also found that the rudder trim was set in a position that would have increased control difficulties during single-engine operations.