What happened
On September 19, 1999, a Cessna 182P, registration PT-IXL, operated by Madeireira 2M Ltda, attempted to transport supplies and a passenger from an unregistered airstrip in Castelo de Sonhos, Pará, to a clandestine destination. During the first takeoff attempt, the engine failed, forcing the pilot to return to the runway. Believing the issue was caused by water in the fuel, the pilot drained the fuel tanks and filters and attempted a second takeoff.
Shortly after leaving the ground on the second attempt, the engine failed again. The pilot attempted to execute a 18/0-degree turn to return to the runway; however, due to the low altitude and high bank angle, the aircraft lost lift and entered a stall. The aircraft impacted the ground 80 meters from the runway threshold, resulting in two fatalities (the pilot and the passenger). The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the carburetor components. While the pilot suspected fuel contamination, technical analysis revealed that the engine had actually flooded. The investigation focused on a specific polymer float (PN 30-802) installed in the carburetor. Although an airworthiness directive (DA 88-08-03R1) required the use of metallic floats, the aircraft was equipped with a newer polymer version that had been installed during a recent maintenance check.
Further examination of the float showed that fuel had penetrated the interior of the polymer component due to separation in its construction, causing the engine to flood. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was operating under unsafe conditions, including unstrapped cargo and the absence of rear seats.