What happened
On December 4, 2016, an EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UOD, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a soybean field near Estância Maria José, in Santa Vitória do Palmar, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft had departed from an uncertified landing strip without a flight plan.
While executing a turn to complete the application of pesticides, the aircraft's left wing struck two high-voltage power lines positioned at a height of 19 meters. The impact severed the left wing, causing the aircraft to lose altitude and crash into the ground approximately 57 meters ahead of the collision point. The aircraft overturned and came to rest on its back. The pilot sustained fatal injuries due to severe head and chest trauma.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA V revealed extensive regulatory non-compliance. The operator, Chuí Aviação Agrícola Ltda-ME, was operating without a required Agricultural Operator Certificate (COA) from ANAC. Furthermore, the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate (CA) had been suspended due to failure to comply with regulatory requirements.
Investigators found that the aircraft's maintenance logs were outdated, and there was no historical record of maintenance services performed prior to the company's acquisition of the plane. Significant discrepancies were also noted regarding engine and propeller components, including unidentified fuel pumps and starters, and an injection pump that did not match the installation records. Due to the widespread violation of aeronautical legislation, which rendered the flight environment inherently unsafe, the investigation was ultimately interrupted as the findings indicated that the operational environment was already operating below minimum acceptable safety levels.
Findings
- The collision with high-voltage power lines was the immediate cause of the wing separation and subsequent crash.
- The aircraft was operating with a suspended Airworthiness Certificate.
- The operator was conducting agricultural operations without a valid Certificate of Operator Agricultural (COA).
- The aircraft was being operated from an airfield that had had its registration canceled by ANAC and was no longer officially listed in the ROTAER.
- Critical maintenance discrepancies were present, including unidentifiable components and a failure to follow the manufacturer's maintenance program.
- The operator failed to report the accident to the SIPAER system; authorities only became aware of the event through a call from the local Military Police.