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Accidents · NTSB ERA12WA451 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Embraer EMB820 accident near Espinosa Municipality, Br, July 6, 2012

On July 6, 2012 at about 1:40 pm local time, a Embraer EMB820, registered PTENG, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Espinosa Municipality. It was an aerial observation flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.

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 6, 2012 · about 1:40 pm local time
Place
Espinosa Municipality, Brazil · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
Weather
not recorded
Aircraft
Embraer EMB820 C
Registration
PTENG · no longer on the register · serial 820066
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Aerial observation flight · non-U.S. private rules

The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record

On July 6, 2012, at 1340 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Piper PA-31-350 (Embraer 820C), Brazilian registration PT-ENG, operated by Microsurvev Aerogeof. E Cons. Cient. Ltda, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of power to both engines. The local flight originated in Guanambi, Brazil. The pilot was fatally injured, one crewmember sustained minor injuries, and another crewmember was not injured. According to information supplied by the government of Brazil, the airplane was conducting an aerial survey flight at an altitude approximately 330 feet above ground level. Two hours into the flight, the right engine experienced a decrease in performance, followed by a total loss of power. Shortly after, the left engine also experienced a total loss of power. A forced landing was performed to an area of dense vegetation. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Brazil. Further information can be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center Investigation Division SHIS – QI 05 – VI Comar, Brasilia-DF, Brazil 71.615-600 Tel (55-61) 3364-8838, Fax (55-61) 3365-1004 dac.saai@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by 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

  1. Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
  2. Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
  3. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing

Crew member

No details recorded.

The aircraft

  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Fire on the ground

The flight

  • Departed from: SNGI Guanambi
  • Destination: SNGI Guanambi
  • Flight plan: not recorded
  • A second pilot was aboard

Weather at the time

  • Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew111

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.