What happened
On April 1, 2020, at approximately 10:30 UTC, a Cessna A188A, registration PT-DZB, was performing an agricultural spraying mission at the APUA Dilly landing strip in Ibirubá, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft, operated by Avante Aviação Agrí．cola Ltda., was conducting a fungicide application under visual flight rules (VFR).
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft veered to the left, departing the paved area of the landing strip. The aircraft subsequently collided with adjacent crops, causing an abrupt stop and a leftward rotation. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, specifically to the tail cone. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the incident uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and agricultural ratings, with significant experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft was also in compliance with airworthiness requirements, with all maintenance logs up to date and the aircraft operating within weight and balance limits.
Investigators examined the physical environment of the landing strip, noting that the width of the operational area left only 2.65 meters of clearance between the wingtips and the edge of the strip. The investigation also reviewed the operator's Safety Management System (SMS). While the company's Risk Management Sheet identified the hazards associated with the narrow strip and adjacent vegetation, there was no evidence that the risks had been formally evaluated or mitigated as required by the company's safety manual.
Findings
- Solar glare caused by the sun being aligned with the runway axis significantly affected the pilot's vision during the takeoff roll.
- The narrow width of the landing strip provided a very small margin for error in maintaining the centerline.
- The landing strip surface was moist, which may have influenced the aircraft's directional control.
- A failure in managerial oversight and flight planning resulted in the lack of proper risk mitigation for known operational hazards.
- Contributing factors included inadequate airport infrastructure and physical working conditions.