What happened
On March 23, 2015, an EMB-201A agricultural aircraft, registration PT-GZV, was performing pesticide application duties at a farm in Santa Luz and Luz, Maranhão. Following the completion of its final spraying pass of the day, the pilot transitioned to a low-altitude flyover of the Maguary village, an area outside the primary operational zone. During this low-level maneuver, the aircraft entered a critical flight condition and collided with the ground near the bank of a pond. The impact caused substantial damage to the airframe, engine, and propeller, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed several significant regulatory and operational irregularities. The aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness had been suspended since November 2013, and the operator was aware that the annual maintenance inspection (IAM) was overdue. Investigators also noted that the aircraft's maintenance logs and engine/propeller records were not presented.
Furthermore, the investigation was hindered by the unauthorized removal of wreckage from the site. Before investigators arrived, parts of the aircraft were removed by local residents or by the operator himself. This loss of evidence prevented a full analysis of all components. The investigation also noted that the pilot, while qualified, had relatively recent training in agricultural aviation and had been previously warned by an assistant against performing low-altitude maneuvers over populated areas.
Findings
- Low-altitude maneuvering: The decision to perform a flyover of a populated area increased operational risk and contributed to the flight entering a critical state.
- Pilot proficiency and judgment: The pilot's increasing self-confidence during his recent employment may have led to a complacent attitude toward safety and an inadequate assessment of the aircraft's maneuverability during an ascending turn.
- Visual perception: The absence of protective eyewear, combined with the sun's position near sunset, may have caused solar glare, impairing the pilot's ability to perceive the environment.
- Flight indiscipline: The operation involved multiple regulatory violations, including flying below minimum altitude requirements and operating an aircraft with an expired maintenance inspection.