What happened
On March 5, 2022, at approximately 15:00 UTC, an EMB-203 aircraft, registration PT-CGY, was performing an agricultural spraying operation at Fazenda Malibu in Santa Cruz do Xingu, Mato Grosso. During the takeoff roll on an unpaved landing strip, the aircraft failed to achieve flight. As the pilot attempted to manage the takeoff, the aircraft exceeded the longitudinal limit of the available runway and collided with a fence. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though the pilot escaped the incident uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and the pilot's credentials. The pilot was found to be fully qualified, holding a valid commercial pilot license and necessary agricultural ratings, with significant experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft's maintenance logs were up to date, with a recent 100-hour inspection completed earlier in the year, and its airworthiness certificate was valid.
Technical analysis focused on the takeoff performance and environmental conditions. The landing strip at the farm measured approximately 800 meters in length. Investigators compared this to the performance requirements for the aircraft under the prevailing conditions, which included a temperature of approximately 28°C and an altitude of 1,072 feet. Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the aircraft's weight, as the takeoff mass was calculated to be approximately 2,126 kg, which exceeded the manufacturer's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 1,900 kg.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating 226 kg above its maximum takeoff weight.
- The available runway length of 800 meters was insufficient for a safe takeoff given the high temperature, altitude, and weight.
- The pilot attempted to adjust flaps from position 1 to position 2 during the roll, which likely increased drag and contributed to the failure to lift off.
- There was a lack of effective safety management, as no operational risk assessment (GRSO) had been conducted for the specific landing site or the spraying area.
- Contributing factors included errors in flight planning, decision-making, and pilot judgment, as well as deficiencies in management oversight.