What happened
On March 6, 2017, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-UGL, was conducting an agricultural spraying mission over a soybean field at Fazenda Refúgio das Pedras, near Pedro Osório, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft, operated by Mirim Aviação Agrícola Ltda., departed from a local landing strip under visual flight rules (VFR) to apply fungicide.
After completing a second application pass, the pilot attempted a turn to return to the field. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost lift and altitude, resulting in a collision with the ground. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, though the pilot escaped the wreckage uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the flight sequence to determine the cause of the loss of control. The investigation confirmed that the engine was functioning normally and that there was no loss of power during the incident. Furthermore, an inspection of the wreckage revealed that all flight controls were intact and fully operational, ruling out mechanical failure as a contributing factor.
The investigation focused on the pilot's management of the aircraft's energy during the climb and turn. It was noted that the pilot initiated a climb using the same power setting used during level flight, which led to a decrease in airspeed from approximately 110 mph. The pilot admitted to not monitoring the airspeed indicator during the climb or the subsequent turn, which prevented an accurate assessment of the aircraft's flight condition.
Findings
- Improper power management: The pilot failed to adjust power settings to compensate for the loss of airspeed during the climb.
- Inadequate monitoring: The pilot did not monitor the airspeed indicator before or during the turn.
- Loss of lift: The combination of decreasing airspeed and the increased bank angle during the turn caused the lift vector to decompose, leading to a stall condition.
- Delayed perception: The pilot's lack of situational awareness regarding airspeed and bank angle led to a late recognition of the impending stall, making recovery efforts—including applying maximum power and deploying 20 degrees of flaps—insufficient to prevent the impact.
Safety action
CENIPA issued a recommendation to the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to work with the operator, Mirim Aviação Agrícola Ltda., to enhance training for crew members regarding fixed-wing aerodynamics and the implementation of operational procedures to prevent stall situations.