Agricultural Aircraft Crashes in Goiás After Pilot Loss of Control

Casualties unknown • MONTES CLAROS DE GOIÁS, GO, BR

An EMB-201A agricultural aircraft crashed during crop dusting operations in Brazil, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.

What happened

On January 12, 2016, at approximately 14:00 UTC, an EMB-201A agricultural aircraft, registration PT-UBQ, crashed while performing pesticide application in a soybean plantation at Fazenda Pouso Alegre, near Montes Claros de Goiás, Brazil.

The aircraft had completed three successful flights earlier that morning. During the fourth flight, the aircraft struck the ground during maneuvering. The pilot reported a strong odor of agricultural chemicals inside the cockpit since the first takeoff, suggesting a potential leak from the hopper. The pilot also noted feeling dizzy prior to the impact and suspected they may have lost consciousness due to the chemical fumes. At the time of the accident, the pilot was not wearing a helmet or a protective mask.

The investigation

CENIPA investigators established that the aircraft was in a proper state of maintenance, with all inspections, including a recent 100-hour engine inspection, up to date. The aircraft was within weight and balance limits, and the engine showed evidence of impacting the ground under power.

However, the investigation revealed significant regulatory non-compliance regarding the pilot's credentials. The pilot's medical certificate had been expired since 2014, and both the single-engine land (MNTE) and agricultural pilot (PAGA) ratings had been expired since November 2013. Furthermore, the operator failed to report the accident to the investigating authority, and the accident scene was significantly disturbed by the unauthorized removal of aircraft parts before investigators arrived.

Findings

  • The pilot's inadequate use of flight controls during application maneuvers caused the landing gear to strike the soybean crop, leading to a loss of lift and subsequent ground impact.
  • The pilot was operating with expired medical and flight qualifications.
  • The pilot's lack of recent proficiency checks contributed to the failure in pilot judgment and control.
  • The pilot was not utilizing personal protective equipment (mask or helmet) during the operation.
  • The operator failed to notify the regional investigation service (SERIPA VI) of the occurrence.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's improper execution of flight controls during agricultural maneuvers, compounded by the pilot's lack of valid medical and flight qualifications, which prevented recent proficiency evaluations.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-01-12 aircraft accident near MONTES CLAROS DE GOIÁS, GO, BR?

An EMB-201A agricultural aircraft crashed during crop dusting operations in Brazil, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-01-12 involved a aircraft, registration PTUBQ, at MONTES CLAROS DE GOIÁS, GO, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's improper execution of flight controls during agricultural maneuvers, compounded by the pilot's lack of valid medical and flight qualifications, which prevented recent proficiency evaluations.

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