What happened
On May 8, 2009, an AT-802A, registration PR-EFJ, was performing a short transit flight from an operational base to Fazenda Carajás in Sapezal, Mato Grosso, for the purpose of refueling with agricultural products. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules in calm weather conditions.
During the landing phase on a compacted dirt runway, the pilot executed an unstabilized approach to runway 18. The approach involved wide bank angles as the pilot attempted to correct the aircraft's alignment with the runway. During the short final, the application boom located beneath the right wing made contact with the nearby crops. This contact caused a sudden loss of airspeed, leading to a heavy, misaligned touchdown. The aircraft subsequently lost directional control on the ground, veering 110 degrees from its original path and coming to a stop at the edge of the plantation.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed for agricultural operations and possessed sufficient experience with the aircraft type and the specific landing site. The aircraft was found to be in an airworthy condition, with all maintenance records up to date and no mechanical failures contributing to the incident.
Investigators examined the operational aspects of the landing, noting that in agricultural operations, pilots often attempt short final approaches to save time, which reduces the margin for error. The analysis determined that the impact was caused by improper flight control inputs during the flare, specifically regarding the height and alignment of the aircraft.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a landing from an unstabilized approach with significant lateral corrections.
- The contact between the aircraft's application equipment and the vegetation caused a sudden deceleration.
- The heavy and misaligned touchdown resulted in a loss of directional control on the ground.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage to the landing gear and several components on the left side, including the aileron, wing, flap, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator.
- The pilot remained uninjured.
Safety action
CENIPA recommended that regional investigation offices (SERIPA) promote the dissemination of this accident among operators and pilots to highlight the specific risks associated with unstabilized approaches.