What happened
On February 20, 2023, at approximately 15:20 UTC, a Neiva EMB-202 agricultural aircraft, registration PT-UXJ, was performing low-altitude spraying operations near Pedro Osório, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft had departed from the "Neco" landing area to apply pesticides in a nearby farm. After completing ten successful sorties, the pilot began the eleventh mission.
Upon finishing the application, the pilot executed a right turn to return to the base. During this transit, the aircraft struck an electrical transmission cable located approximately 3 nautical miles north of the application area. The impact caused an immediate loss of engine power. The pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing in a rice plantation, where the aircraft subsequently overturned. The pilot survived the accident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the pilot's credentials, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 4,600 total flight hours, approximately 4,000 of which were in the EMB-202 model. All medical and aeronautical licenses were valid, and the pilot was wearing corrective lenses as required.
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, with up-to-date maintenance logs and valid certification. Meteorological data indicated favorable flying conditions, with clear skies and no significant precipitation. The investigation also reviewed the operator's risk management protocols, noting that while the presence of low-voltage power lines was known and mapped, the risk was classified as critical.
Investigators analyzed the flight profile and noted that after the turn toward the base, the aircraft maintained an altitude of approximately 10 feet for about one minute. This duration would have been sufficient to climb to a safe altitude to clear ground obstacles.
Findings
- The pilot's high level of experience and familiarity with the local terrain may have led to increased confidence and a potential reduction in situational awareness.
- A loss of attention, possibly caused by the monotony of repetitive flight profiles during the day's many sorties, may have occurred during the return leg.
- The collision with the electrical cable was the direct cause of the engine power loss and the subsequent emergency landing.