What happened
On May 17, 2022, a PA-25-235 aircraft, registration PR-CTD, was performing an agricultural pesticide application flight departing from Fazenda Valiosa Aerodrome in Brasilândia de Minas, Minas Gerais. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft began flying a trajectory that deviated from its usual profile and at a lower altitude than previous flights. During this maneuver, the aircraft suffered a loss of control and collided with trees near the runway before impacting the ground in a densely forested, swampy area. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed, with the right wing separating from the fuselage at the root.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and analyzed structural components sent to the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE). The investigation focused on the condition of the wing trusses and the pilot's qualifications. Technical analysis of the right wing's upper truss revealed widespread corrosion and a fracture surface. Furthermore, investigators found evidence of improper repairs on the lower truss, including the use of welds and tubes of varying thicknesses. The investigation also reviewed the operator's management practices, the pilot's flight credentials, and the aircraft's maintenance logs, which were found to be out of date.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an in-flight structural failure of the right wing caused by widespread corrosion and inadequate maintenance.
- The aircraft's right wing upper truss exhibited significant corrosion, and the lower truss had undergone improper repairs using mismatched tube thicknesses and unauthorized welds.
- The pilot was not qualified to conduct the flight, as several required ratings (MNTE and MLTE) had expired.
- The operator's maintenance oversight was inadequate, failing to identify the corrosion process or the substandard repairs on the wing structure.
- There was a lack of effective organizational processes to monitor crew qualifications and manage operational risks associated with agricultural spraying.
- Aircraft maintenance records, including airframe and engine logbooks, were not up to date.