Two fatalities in agricultural aircraft crash during low-altitude maneuvers

Casualties unknown • LAGOA DA CONFUSÃO, TO, BR

An EMB-200A agricultural aircraft crashed into a cotton plantation in Tocantins, Brazil, killing the pilot and a passenger during unauthorized low-altitude maneuvers.

What happened

On January 11, 2008, an EMB-200A agricultural aircraft, registration PT-GEF, operated by Foliar Aviação Agrícola Ltda., crashed into a cotton plantation at Fazenda Impuca da Onça, near Lagoa da Confusão, Brazil. After completing spraying operations, the pilot departed from the farm's airstrip, carrying an agricultural technician as a passenger.

Witnesses reported that the pilot performed several low-altitude passes over the nearby town and the agricultural property shortly before the accident. At approximately 18:30 local time, the aircraft lost control and struck the ground. The impact was violent, causing the pilot and the passenger to be ejected from the cabin. The pilot died at the scene, and the passenger succumbed to injuries while being transported to a hospital.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation focused on the flight characteristics and the presence of an unauthorized passenger. Investigators found that the EMB-200A was certified for a single occupant only. The technician was positioned in the cabin area between the pedals and the hopper, a location that lacked any form of protection.

Analysis of the wreckage indicated that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact, suggesting the pilot was likely performing low-altitude maneuvers. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's center of gravity may have been outside of manufacturer-specified limits due to the additional weight of the passenger. Furthermore, the presence of the passenger likely restricted the pilot's ability to move the flight controls effectively.

Findings

  • The pilot had limited experience in agricultural operations and in this specific aircraft type.
  • The pilot exhibited excessive confidence and exhibitionist behavior, performing unauthorized maneuvers over populated areas.
  • The presence of the passenger restricted the available space for the pilot to operate the pedals and control column.
  • A culture of non-compliance existed within the agricultural aviation sector, where transporting ground crew as passengers is a common, albeit unsafe, practice to save time and costs.
  • The aircraft was destroyed in the crash.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to perform unauthorized low-altitude maneuvers while carrying an unauthorized passenger, which likely compromised the aircraft's controllability and center of gravity.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2008-01-11 aircraft accident near LAGOA DA CONFUSÃO, TO, BR?

An EMB-200A agricultural aircraft crashed into a cotton plantation in Tocantins, Brazil, killing the pilot and a passenger during unauthorized low-altitude maneuvers.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2008-01-11 involved a aircraft, registration PTGEF, at LAGOA DA CONFUSÃO, TO, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to perform unauthorized low-altitude maneuvers while carrying an unauthorized passenger, which likely compromised the aircraft's controllability and center of gravity.

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