What happened
On May 8, 1999, at approximately 17:20 local time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, registration PT-YCV, operated by Civil Air Táxi Aéreo Ltda., was performing a ferry flight from Limeira to Novo Horizonte, Brazil. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot heard a loud bang followed by a continuous noise originating from the rear of the aircraft.
The noise was caused by the failure of the belts connecting the engine to the main transmission. In response to the mechanical failure, the pilot immediately initiated an emergency autorotation procedure. However, the attempt to land resulted in a violent impact with the ground in Brotas, São Paulo. The aircraft sustained severe damage to the rotor systems, landing gear, main transmission, tail cone, engine, and fuselage. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger was uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the pilot's performance. The investigation noted that the aircraft had undergone an inspection only 16 hours and 35 minutes prior to the accident. Investigators analyzed the impact dynamics, noting that the rotor blades showed a