Aircraft and Flight Information
The aircraft involved was an EMBRAER EMB 202A, registration PT-WXV, manufactured in 2013, serial number 20001320. It was a low-wing, single-engine monoplane with tubular metal structure and aluminum skin, equipped with a conventional tricycle landing gear. The operator was Pachu Aviação Agrícola Ltda., and the aircraft held a Specialized Air Service – Agricultural registration (SAE-AG). The pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot – Airplane license with ratings for Single-Engine Land and Agricultural Pilot – Airplane, and a valid Aeronautical Medical Certificate. The aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness was current, and its weight and balance were within limits. Logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were up to date. Weather conditions were favorable for the flight.
Accident Sequence
On 22JAN2022 at approximately 20:50 UTC, the aircraft departed from the Chalela airstrip, a rural landing area in Palestina, SP, for a local agricultural pesticide application flight with one pilot on board. Prior to the flight, the spray bar had experienced a malfunction which was repaired and tested on the ground. After takeoff, the pilot performed two passes over the target area. During the third pass, after a reversal turn, the right wing struck an isolated tree located to the right of the flight path. Following the impact, the aircraft hit the ground about 100 meters from the first collision, rotating approximately 270° clockwise before coming to rest. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot suffered minor injuries.
Pilot Actions and Observations
The pilot reported that during the third pass, he realized that the solid/liquid control valve, which should have been opened before takeoff, had not been activated. Consequently, the first two passes were made without dispensing product. The pilot stated that he typically kept the solid/liquid lever open before takeoff and activated the wind-driven pump to release product, a procedure that differed from the manufacturer's recommendation but was not prohibited. After the reversal turn, the tree was in a blind spot, preventing timely course correction to avoid the collision. The pilot was aware of the tree's presence but was unable to avoid the obstacle.
Risk Management and Company Procedures
The operator, Pachu Aviação Agrícola Ltda., held an Air Operator Certificate and had a Safety Management System (SMS) supported by a third-party electronic solutions provider designated as the Safety Action Group (GASO). The GASO was responsible for risk analysis, defining operational barriers through standardized procedures, bulletins, and detailed risk management. The company provided pilots with area bulletins and charts via an electronic library, including a bulletin for the Chalela airstrip. According to company procedures, pilots were required to review the application area using a sketch provided by the landowner and Google Maps, and to conduct an overflight for reconnaissance before starting application. The pilot had received the area delimitation and performed the reconnaissance flight.
Post-Accident Findings
The investigation noted that the pilot had knowledge of the tree hazard, yet the collision occurred despite the available risk management system. The pilot's failure to activate the solid/liquid valve and the subsequent maneuvering without adequate obstacle awareness indicated a degradation in situational awareness during a critical phase of the low-altitude operation.