What happened
On March 6, 2018, an Embraer EMB-202, registration PT-BIT, operated by Bolzaer Aviação Agrícola Ltda - ME, departed from an agricultural landing strip in Agudo, Rio Grande do Sul, for a maintenance test flight. The aircraft had been out of service for approximately seventeen days.
During the flight, the pilot performed a simulated agricultural application maneuver over a rice field. While executing a turn-back maneuver, the right wingtip struck high-voltage power lines. The impact caused the aircraft to enter an inverted flight attitude, subsequently striking an irrigation embankment and the ground. The impact was severe enough to cause the engine assembly to detach from the airframe. The pilot sustained light injuries, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and medical certification. The aircraft was also in a compliant state, with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, up-to-date maintenance logs, and proper weight and balance. Weather conditions at the time were favorable for flight.
The investigation focused on the sudden change in flight profile. While the original intent was a maintenance test, the pilot transitioned to low-altitude simulated spraying maneuvers without prior planning or identification of ground obstacles. Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the company's oversight, noting that the maintenance test was conducted outside the minimum safety parameters required for such activities.
Findings
- Improper pilot judgment regarding the decision to fly at low altitudes during a test flight.
- Lack of flight planning, specifically the failure to identify high-voltage obstacles in the flight path.
- Ineffective managerial supervision, which allowed maintenance test flights to be conducted without adequate safety parameters.