What happened
On August 10, 1993, at approximately 10:55 PM, a Cessna 182Q, registration PT-ONC, crashed near Guarapuava, Paraná. The flight originated from Fazenda Estrela Dourada, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Upon approaching the destination, the pilot encountered highly unfavorable meteorological conditions, characterized by heavy fog, a ceiling of approximately 100 feet, and visibility restricted to 200 meters. Despite being aware of these conditions via a telephone report, the pilot attempted a descent. The aircraft was observed circling a local radio antenna before emerging from the cloud layer in a 20-degree nose-down attitude. The left wing struck the canopy of a tree, causing a loss of structural integrity, after which the aircraft proceeded into an uncontrolled flight and struck the ground 500 meters away. The impact triggered a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft. There were two fatalities among the occupants.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the operational environment. Investigators established that the pilot held a valid Private Pilot license but lacked the necessary instrument rating (IFR) for the conditions encountered. Furthermore, the Cessna 182Q was not certified for instrument flight, and the destination airfield lacked IFR approach procedures.
The investigation also examined the pilot's experience, noting limited time in this specific aircraft type and a lack of experience in instrument flight conditions. While the aircraft's maintenance records were up to date and the engine and propeller services were current, the investigation looked into the psychological factors present during the flight.