What happened
On April 6, 2022, an AT 402B agricultural aircraft, registration PP-CRE, was performing a short repositioning flight between two landing areas on the Fazenda Querência farm in Tangará da Serra, Mato Grosso. The flight was intended to move the aircraft from a temporary agricultural landing strip to the farm's primary aerodrome.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft experienced a momentary loss of directional control. The aircraft veered to the right, causing the wingtip to strike a dense, tall cornfield that lined the edge of the runway. This contact led to a complete loss of control and a runway excursion. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, specifically to the tail cone, which exhibited lateral twisting and wrinkling. The pilot was uninjured and able to exit the aircraft independently.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition with up-to-date maintenance records and was within weight and balance limits. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 7,000 total flight hours and significant time in the AT 402B model. Meteorological conditions were clear with good visibility, though the investigation noted the presence of morning dew on the runway surface.
The investigation focused on the narrow operational margins of the landing area. The runway was 22 meters wide, and with the aircraft's wingspan of 15.54 meters, there was only a 3.23-meter margin between the wingtips and the edge of the runway. The investigation also noted that the runway lacked visual centerline markings, relying instead on the pilot's spatial perception.
Findings
- The primary cause of the deviation was inadequate rudder input to counteract engine torque during the initial stages of the takeoff roll.
- Reduced tire adhesion due to morning dew on the runway surface contributed to the difficulty in maintaining the centerline.
- The pilot's judgment regarding the assessment of operational parameters, such as engine torque reaction and runway surface conditions, was a contributing factor.
- The lack of adequate flight planning to mitigate risks associated with the damp runway and the proximity of dense vegetation contributed to the occurrence.