What happened
On March 26, 2014, at approximately 21:20 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-UEA, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Potirendaba, São Paulo. While executing a reversal maneuver near sunset, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. In an attempt to recover, the pilot activated the emergency load jettison system for the solid agricultural product being applied. However, the discharge process took significantly longer than expected, leaving a large amount of the product on board. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude and performed an emergency landing in an unprepared area near a sugarcane plantation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, the left main landing gear, the tailwheel, and the elevator. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the sequence of events during the twilight hours and the efficiency of the aircraft's emergency systems. Investigators examined the timing of the maneuver, noting it occurred close to sunset, which may have contributed to spatial disorientation. The investigation also scrutinized the performance of the load jettison mechanism, finding that the discharge of the solid product exceeded the time limits required by Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation RBAC 137. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the operator's management practices, finding a lack of systematic operational oversight, such as standardized flight parameters, pilot retraining policies, or defined operational limits regarding flight duration and sunset times.
Findings
- The pilot may have executed a turn with a radius smaller than standard due to reduced visibility during twilight and a lack of attention to airspeed and bank angle.
- The delayed discharge of the solid agricultural load hindered the pilot's ability to recover lost altitude.
- The operator lacked systematic management, leaving flight parameters and operational safety decisions solely to the pilot's discretion.
- There was an absence of standardized procedures or manuals regarding flight parameters, such as application speeds, maneuver angles, or operational time limits.
- Inadequate management supervision and flight planning processes.