No fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes into Residences After Engine Power Fluctuation (PT-KZD)

Fortaleza-Pinto Martins, BrazilTakeoff (climb)

On July 2, 2002, a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500 (registration PT-KZD) operated by TAF Linhas Aéreas - Taxi Aéreo Fortaleza was involved in an aviation accident near Fortaleza-Pinto Martins, Brazil during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fuel pump and the servo-injectors had faults which certainly contributed to the accident as the left engine was not properly supplied with fuel. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

During a post-maintenance test flight from Fortaleza, a twin-engine aircraft suffered left engine power fluctuation. The pilot shut down the engine and feathered the propeller, but the aircraft rolled left, struck a wall, and crashed into three houses, injuring all four occupants.

Accident Summary

A twin-engine aircraft departed Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport on a local post-maintenance test flight (50 hours). The aircraft carried two passengers and one pilot. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 200 feet, the power on the left engine fluctuated. The pilot adjusted the fuel selector position, but the situation did not improve.

As the aircraft began losing height, the pilot shut down the left engine and feathered its propeller. The aircraft then rolled to the left, causing the left wing to strike a concrete wall. Out of control, the aircraft struck the roof of a house, then a second house, and eventually crashed onto a third residence.

All three occupants were injured, as was one person on the ground.

Probable Cause

The official findings state that the fuel pump and the servo-injectors had faults which certainly contributed to the accident, as the left engine was not properly supplied with fuel.