What happened
On June 30, 2003, a Cessna C-210, registration PT-ORU, was performing a flight from Colniza, Mato Grosso, to Ji-Paraná, Rondônia. The flight, operated by SM – Laminados de Madeira Ltda, was approximately 15 minutes from its destination when the pilot noticed an increase in cylinder head and exhaust gas temperatures. In an attempt to manage the heat, the pilot opened the engine cooling flaps, reduced power, and enriched the mixture.
This maneuver led to a sudden drop in engine power. The pilot attempted to restore power by advancing the throttle and activating the auxiliary fuel pump, which temporarily stabilized the engine, though it continued to run roughly. During this period, the aircraft lost approximately 1,300 feet of altitude.
As the aircraft approached Ji-Paraná, the pilot began a descent to traffic pattern altitude. However, four minutes before reaching the destination, the engine suffered another sudden and irrecoverable loss of power. Unable to maintain altitude or reach the runway, the pilot performed a forced landing in a pasture. Before impacting the ground, the aircraft's left wing struck trees, causing the plane to rotate 180 degrees. The aircraft sustained severe damage to the engine, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.