What happened
On January 11, 2017, at approximately 10:50 UTC, a Neiva EMB-202, registration PT-USO, was conducting an agricultural spraying operation near Granja 4 Irmãos, in the municipality of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft, operated by Taim Aero Agrícola Ltda, had departed from a local landing strip to apply pesticides over a rice plantation.
As the pilot was nearing the end of the application mission, the aircraft struck an electrical power line. The impact caused an immediate loss of engine power, forcing the pilot to perform an emergency landing in a nearby rice field. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, the pilot escaped the wreckage uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the collision and the subsequent engine failure. Investigators established that the pilot was aware of the location of the power lines prior to the accident. However, during the final stages of the spraying task, the pilot's focus shifted toward ensuring precise coverage of the plantation area.
Technical analysis of the engine failure revealed that the impact with the wire caused physical damage to the fuel filter located at the bottom of the engine. This damage resulted in a blockage of the fuel flow to the fuel injector, which led to the loss of engine power following the strike.
Findings
- The pilot's attention was diverted from monitoring obstacles due to the priority placed on the precision of the spraying task.
- The collision with the electrical wire caused damage to the fuel filter, interrupting the fuel supply to the engine.
- The pilot was properly licensed and experienced for the type of operation.
- The aircraft was airworthy, properly maintained, and within weight and balance limits.
- Meteorological conditions were favorable for flight at the time of the occurrence.