What happened
On March 24, 2022, at approximately 19:50 UTC, an NEIVA EMB-201A, registration PT-GUD, was performing an agricultural spraying operation near Ipiranga do Norte, Mato Grosso. The aircraft had departed from a nearby landing strip to apply pesticides at Fazenda Olinda.
During the application process, the pilot attempted to maneuver underneath a single-phase power line that was positioned perpendicularly to the flight path. In the process of descending to clear the cable, the aircraft made contact with a corn plantation, which caused the aircraft to decelerate and enter a slight right-hand turn. While attempting to recover the flight by applying full power, the aircraft struck a three-phase electrical pole located to the right of the flight path, subsequently losing control and colliding with the ground. The pilot survived the accident without injury, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators reviewed flight records, maintenance logs, and surveillance footage from a neighboring farm that captured the event. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and medically certified, though they were performing their first harvest season. The aircraft was found to be airworthy, with all inspections up to date and operating within weight and balance limits.
Investigators also examined the operator's Safety Management System (SMS) protocols. While the operator had a risk management form for the specific area that identified the single-phase cable, the investigation noted that the form lacked an update date, making it impossible to verify its currency. Furthermore, although the pilot had performed a reconnaissance flight prior to the application, the single-phase cable was not identified due to its color blending with the vegetation and the sun's position affecting visibility.