What happened
On February 4, 2021, a Diamond DA 62, registration PS-EBI, was performing a private flight to transport personnel to an agricultural landing area at Chapadão Farm in Barreiras, Bahia. The flight originated from the Fazenda Vitória Aerodrome.
During the landing roll on the dirt runway, the pilot attempted to maneuver the aircraft to avoid a puddle of water. This maneuver caused the left wingtip to strike nearby corn vegetation. The contact resulted in a sudden leftward yaw of approximately 90 degrees, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft eventually came to a stop with its nose section embedded in a cornfield. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose, engine, auxiliary landing gear, and the right propeller assembly. The pilot and the passenger were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the operational conditions and regulatory compliance of the flight. The investigation established that while the weather was favorable for VFR flight, the runway surface was slippery and contained standing water due to rainfall the previous day.
Investigators also reviewed the legality of the landing site. Under Brazilian regulations (RBAC 91 and 137), the use of an agricultural landing area for passenger transport is restricted. The investigation found that the operation did not comply with these requirements, as the landing area was being used for passenger transport rather than exclusively for aero-agricultural activities.
Findings
- Inadequate risk assessment: The pilot failed to properly evaluate the risks associated with operating on a soft, wet, and slippery dirt surface following recent rainfall.
- Regulatory non-compliance: The operation violated established regulations regarding the use of agricultural landing areas for passenger transport.
- Pilot maneuvering: An inadequacy in control inputs during the attempt to avoid a puddle led to the wingtip striking vegetation, triggering the loss of control.
- Surface conditions: The presence of water accumulations and the deteriorated state of the dirt runway contributed to the instability of the aircraft during the landing roll.