What happened
On April 6, 2014, at 10:25 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-UGC, was performing a reconnaissance flight toward a potential emergency landing site at Fazenda Campo Bonito, in Campo Bonito, Paraná. The flight originated from Aeródromo COPACEL in Palotina.
While surveying the area, the pilot crossed the runway axis and executed a left turn. During this maneuver, the pilot's vision was obscured by the sun's position directly ahead. This loss of visual reference led the aircraft to collide with the treetops atop a hill. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, while the pilot sustained light injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot was qualified, holding 1,500 total flight hours, including 50 hours on this specific aircraft type. The aircraft was airworthy, with all maintenance logs up to date and within weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions were favorable for visual flight rules (VFR).
However, the investigation revealed that the pilot was unfamiliar with the destination, lacking critical knowledge regarding the dimensions, altitude, runway headings, and obstacles of the landing site. The pilot had relied solely on GPS coordinates without verifying the terrain. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot flew at a low altitude—approximately 180 feet below the elevation of the landing site—and failed to account for the sun's position, despite wearing sunglasses.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning, as the pilot lacked essential information regarding the destination's terrain and obstacles.
- Inadequate managerial supervision by the operator, which allowed the flight to proceed without ensuring the pilot had the necessary information for a safe operation.