What happened
On January 22, 2002, a Cessna C-180, registration PT-AVE, was conducting parachute jump operations departing from a private farm in Senador Guiomar, Acre. The aircraft had been refueled with only 60 liters of fuel—the absolute minimum required to complete the mission—and only the left tank was fueled to avoid errors in fuel management.
After completing the jumps, the pilot did not proceed directly to land. Instead, the pilot performed low-altitude maneuvers over a nearby forested area, approximately 3 nautical miles from the landing site. During these maneuvers, the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on a dirt road cutting through the jungle. During the approach, the left wingtip struck a tree, causing the aircraft to lose control and impact the ground at a steep 13/5-degree angle. The pilot was killed in the impact.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed a series of severe regulatory and operational irregularities. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was suspended due to expired inspections and lapsed insurance. Maintenance records were incomplete, with no documented inspections or flight hours recorded since 1999. Furthermore, the pilot was operating with expired commercial licenses and an expired medical certificate.
The investigation also noted that the flight was conducted from an unregistered airfield and was not coordinated with local air traffic authorities. The investigation examined the fuel levels, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the pilot's decision-making during the low-altitude flight over the forest.