Piper PA-34-200T accident near Imperatrize, Maranhao, Br, July 3, 2009
On July 3, 2009 at about 9:46 pm local time, a Piper PA-34-200T, registered PTRFU, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Imperatrize, Maranhao. It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 3, 2009 · about 9:46 pm local time
- Place
- Imperatrize, Maranhao, Brazil · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · all PA-34-200Ts on the register
- Registration
- PTRFU · no longer on the register · serial 810383
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 3, 2009, at 2146 UTC, a Piper PA-34-200T, PT-RFU, registered to and operated by Heringer Taxi Aereo LTD, as a cargo flight,lost engine power on one engine after takeoff from Imperatriz, Maranhao Airport, Brazil. The pilot attempted to return to the departure airport and made a forced landing short of runway 25. The airplane received substantial damage. The airline transport pilot and one passenger received serious injuries. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Brazil. For further information contact: Areonautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center SHIS - QI 05 - VI COMAR Brasilia -DF, Brazil 71.615-600 Tel: 55 61 3364 8800 Fax: 53 61 3365 1004 dipaa@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained from the Government of Brazil.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Other authority investigated
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Imperatrize, Maranhao at 9:43 pm
- Destination: SBBE Belem Para
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 10:00 pm from SBIZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.