What happened
On February 17, 2020, at approximately 11:20 UTC, a Cessna T188C, registration PT-WLN, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Inaciolândia, Goiás. The aircraft, operated by Aerotex Aviação Agrícola Ltda, had been conducting fungicide applications on soybean crops at Fazenda Brasília. Prior to the accident, the aircraft had completed two hours of flight time and eight successful takeoffs.
During the ninth takeoff of the day, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 15 meters when the engine experienced a sudden loss of power. Unable to maintain flight, the pilot performed a forced landing in a nearby sugarcane plantation. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though the pilot sustained only minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses for single-engine land and agricultural operations, along with a valid medical certificate. The aircraft was also found to be in a safe condition for flight, with a valid airworthiness certificate, up-to-date maintenance logs for the engine, propeller, and airframe, and was operating within proper weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions at the time of the occurrence were favorable.
Upon inspecting the aircraft after the landing, the pilot identified that the fuel mixture had been set to a reduced (corrected) position during the takeoff sequence. This improper setting led to the engine's inability to produce sufficient power during the climb.
Findings
- The engine power loss was caused by the pilot departing with the fuel mixture set to a reduced position.
- The pilot's reliance on automated, routine procedures led to a lapse in attention during the pre-takeoff phase.
- Human factors, specifically lapses in attention and attitude during repetitive tasks, contributed to the failure to follow the operating checklist correctly.