What happened
On October 11, 2001, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-IBN, was performing a flight from Teresina, PI, to Açailândia, MA. Approximately two hours and 20 minutes into the flight, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power due to a seizure.
The pilot attempted an emergency landing on a dirt road in the Pequiá district. During the landing sequence, the pilot maneuvered to avoid a person on horseback, causing the left wing to strike a wooden fence. The impact caused the aircraft to lose control and subsequently ignite. The fire destroyed the aircraft, leaving only the engine intact. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was suspended because its annual maintenance inspection (IAM) had expired in January 2001. Furthermore, the aircraft's logbooks were outdated, and there were no reliable records of the total airframe hours or the completion of recent maintenance services.
The investigation established that the pilot took off without receiving the necessary documentation confirming the completion of maintenance. The pilot also failed to file a flight plan (AFIL) or establish communication with air traffic control services along the route. Additionally, the investigation was hindered by the fact that the aircraft owner removed the wreckage from the site before authorities could conduct a technical examination of the engine.
Findings
- Engine failure: The engine suffered a seizure during flight.
- Flight Discipline: The pilot operated the aircraft with a suspended airworthiness certificate and failed to follow standard flight planning and communication procedures.
- Human Factors: The pilot exhibited signs of anxiety and complacency, accepting verbal confirmation of maintenance completion without verifying the required documentation.
- Maintenance and Oversight: The aircraft's maintenance records were unreliable, and there were unresolved questions regarding whether the maintenance shop or the aircraft owner authorized the flight despite the expired inspection.
- Operational errors: The pilot's decision to fly to an unapproved landing site and the lack of flight plan filing contributed to the difficulty in managing the emergency.