What happened
On March 4, 2016, an EMB-201A aircraft, registration PT-UCU, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a soybean plantation at Fazenda São João, in Água Clara, Mato Grosso do Sul. The aircraft, operated by Tenoar Aviação Agrícola Ltda, had successfully completed nine previous flight segments without incident.
During the tenth flight segment, while performing a spray pass, the tail of the aircraft made contact with the vegetation. This contact resulted in a loss of control, causing the aircraft to strike the ground. Following the impact, the aircraft slid approximately 80 meters and spun 180 degrees from its original direction of travel. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the wreckage uninjured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight parameters and the aircraft's configuration at the time of the accident. The aircraft was operating within its weight and balance limits, with an estimated takeoff weight of 1,520 kg, consisting of 100 liters of fuel and 600 liters of agricultural pesticide. Although reports mentioned strong wind gusts on the day of the occurrence, investigators could not verify this or establish a direct causal link to the accident.
The investigation focused on the low-altitude nature of the spray pass. Because the aircraft's weight changes rapidly during the discharge of pesticides, the relationship between control inputs and aircraft response is highly dynamic. Investigators considered whether the pilot's assessment of altitude was inadequate or if a stall occurred following the initial contact with the vegetation.
Findings
- The pilot held valid medical and agricultural pilot certifications.
- The aircraft was airworthy, with all maintenance records up to date.
- The aircraft was within its permitted weight and balance envelope.
- Inadequate assessment of altitude during the spray pass likely led to the tail striking the vegetation.
- A stall following the contact with the crops could not be ruled out.