What happened
On April 18, 2020, a Neiva EMB-202A, registration PT-UTH, was performing a ferry flight from Aeródromo Luís Eduardo Magalhães, BA, to an agricultural landing site in Cristalândia, TO. During the mission, the pilot made a technical stop at Dianópolis, TO, and subsequently landed at an unregistered location in Brejinho de Nazaré, TO, due to deteriorating weather.
Approximately 15 minutes after departing from the unregistered site, the aircraft impacted the top of a ridge. Witnesses near the site reported hearing the aircraft flying near the ridge within the clouds, followed by a loud impact. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial and agricultural licenses, and possessed significant experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft was operating within its approved weight and balance limits, and all maintenance records, including the recent 100-hour inspection, were up to date.
On the day of the accident, the area near Brejinho de Nazaré was experiencing heavy rain and dense cloud cover. Although the pilot was aware of the adverse weather and intended to fly around the mountain formations, the investigation found that the aircraft was operating in visibility conditions below the minimums required for visual flight. Analysis of the wreckage, specifically the propeller deformation, confirmed that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact.
Findings
- Inadequate pilot judgment regarding the decision to continue flight in deteriorating weather.
- Inadequate flight planning for the mission.
- Adverse meteorological conditions, including heavy rain and dense clouds, which led to the loss of visual references with the terrain.