What happened
On February 20, 2021, at approximately 19:30 UTC, an EMB-2/202A agricultural aircraft, registration PT-UTK, was performing a local flight for pesticide application near Fazenda Modelo in Marcelândia, Mato Grosso. The aircraft departed from a local landing strip for a routine spraying mission. After approximately 30 minutes of flight, while the pilot was executing a reversal turn to reposition for the next pass, the aircraft experienced a loss of control and struck the ground. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though the pilot emerged from the wreckage uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and agricultural ratings, with a valid medical certificate. The aircraft's maintenance records, including the airworthiness certificate and recent inspections, were up to date, and the aircraft was operating within its proper weight and balance limits. No mechanical failures or component malfunctions were identified as contributing to the accident.
Meteorological analysis revealed that while the weather at the time of the event appeared to have scattered clouds, satellite imagery indicated the presence of Towering Cumulus (TCU) formations in the vicinity. These types of clouds are associated with atmospheric instability and turbulence. Investigators also noted reports of isolated rain and variable winds in the region during the period.
Findings
- The investigation identified two primary hypotheses for the loss of control. The first is the occurrence of windshear caused by the nearby convective activity, which could have disrupted the aircraft's flight path at a low altitude, leaving insufficient time for recovery.
- The second hypothesis involves an asymmetric stall resulting from improper control inputs during the reversal turn. The investigation noted that agricultural equipment increases drag and affects maneuverability, and that excessive bank angles during turns—often used by pilots to increase operational efficiency—can significantly increase stall speeds.
- Potential failures in flight planning and decision-making were also considered, specifically regarding the decision to continue operations under unstable meteorological conditions.