What happened
On February 8, 2018, a Cessna A188B, registration PT-WUL, was performing agricultural spraying operations in Arroio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft was engaged in applying fungicide to a rice crop. During the third pass of the mission, the pilot attempted to fly underneath a local electrical power line. During this maneuver, the aircraft's rudder struck the wires, and the landing gear impacted the ground.
The aircraft slid approximately 59 meters through the crop, causing the left main landing gear to break. The momentum caused the aircraft to roll to the right and capsize. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, and the pilot sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and agricultural ratings, and possessed the necessary experience for the mission. The aircraft was also in good regulatory standing, with valid special flight authorization for ethanol use, proper weight and balance, and up-to-date maintenance logs. Meteorological conditions at the time were favorable for flight.
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making during the maneuver. While the power lines were 5.5 meters above the ground and the aircraft height was 2.5 meters—leaving a theoretical 3-meter margin—the pilot's choice to fly under the wires was a deliberate but high-risk decision. Investigators found that the pilot's attempt to bypass the wires through improvisation and a lack of proper flight planning contributed to the accident.
Findings
- Inadequate risk assessment: The pilot failed to properly evaluate the safety parameters required for the maneuver.
- Poor decision-making: The pilot's choice to fly under the wires demonstrated a lack of appropriate alternatives and increased exposure to risk.
- Operational attitudes: The investigation identified elements of complacency, overconfidence, and improvisation.
- Inadequate flight planning: The mission preparation failed to account for the hazards presented by the electrical infrastructure.
Safety action
CENIPA issued recommendations to the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to work with the operator, Lusa Aviação Agrícola Ltda., to improve flight planning and risk management mechanisms. Additionally, a recommendation was made to disseminate the lessons learned from this investigation to operators and flight training centers to alert them to the specific risks of colliding with power lines during agricultural operations.