What happened
On January 14, 2014, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-UFB, was conducting an operational maintenance flight in Querência do Norte, Paraná. The mission involved a simulated chemical application using water over a rice field. The aircraft had departed from a private landing strip located at Sítio Carlos Roberto Sotoriva Reginato.
Approximately fifteen minutes into the flight, the pilot identified an electrical power line in the flight path. In an attempt to avoid a collision with the wires, the pilot executed a nose-down maneuver. This sudden change in attitude caused the aircraft to strike the terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, engine, propeller, and landing gear. The pilot escaped the crash uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA V revealed several procedural irregularities regarding the aftermath of the accident. The operator failed to report the occurrence to the investigating authority as required by Brazilian aviation regulations. Furthermore, the operator dismantled the aircraft and moved it from the crash site to a hangar without prior authorization from the investigators.
Regarding the aircraft's maintenance records, investigators found that the logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date. The last recorded monthly flight hours dated back to September 2012, meaning subsequent flight operations had not been documented in the official records.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning, which prevented the pilot from identifying obstacles in the terrain.
- Improper application of flight controls during the evasive maneuver.
- Errors in pilot judgment when responding to the obstacle.