What happened
During a scheduled post-maintenance test flight departing from Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport, a twin engine aircraft experienced significant mechanical issues shortly after takeoff. The flight, which was intended to verify the aircraft's condition after 50 hours of maintenance, was operated with one pilot and two passengers on board.
As the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet, the pilot observed fluctuations in power coming from the left engine. In an attempt to stabilize the flight, the pilot adjusted the fuel selector, but the power instability persisted. As the aircraft began to lose altitude, the pilot proceeded to shut down the left engine and feathered the propeller. This maneuver caused the aircraft to roll heavily to the left, resulting in the left wing making contact with a concrete wall.
Following the initial impact, the aircraft became uncontrollable. It struck the roof of a residential building, proceeded to hit a second house, and finally crashed into a third residence. The sequence of events resulted in four injuries, involving the three people on board the aircraft and one individual on the ground.
Findings
- The primary issue originated from unstable power delivery in the left engine during the initial climb phase.
- The loss of control was exacerbated by the aerodynamic effects of shutting down the left engine and feathering the propeller at a low altitude.