What happened
On February 16, 2021, at approximately 11:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-202A, registration PT-VUR, was performing an agricultural seed-spreading operation at Fazenda Decisão in São Desidério, Bahia. This was the third flight of the day for the pilot, though the first time the aircraft was operating with a seed load.
Shortly after liftoff from the unpaved agricultural strip, the pilot noticed that the aircraft required a longer distance to reach rotation speed than usual. As the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately three meters, it failed to continue its climb. Fearing an imminent collision with overhead power lines located ahead, the pilot attempted a forced landing to the left, where an obstacle-free area was available. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a loss of lift on the left wing, causing it to strike the ground and slide approximately 30 meters before coming to a stop. The aircraft was destroyed, but the pilot emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the fuel quality, and the takeoff performance parameters. Technical analysis of the Lycoming engine, including the fuel injection pump and magnetos, revealed no evidence of malfunction. Laboratory testing confirmed that the ethanol fuel used was within required specifications.
The investigation also reviewed the takeoff performance calculations. While the aircraft was within its maximum takeoff weight limits and the runway length met the manufacturer's minimum requirements, the investigation noted that the pilot's observed takeoff distance was significantly longer than expected. Investigators considered that inaccuracies in calculating parameters such as aircraft weight, air temperature, or wind components may have contributed to the unexpected performance.