What happened
On April 29, 2023, at approximately 19:50 UTC, an EMBRAER EMB-203, registration PS-RIZ, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Fazenda São Manoel in Bonfinópolis de Minas, Brazil. The aircraft was conducting a series of twelve passes to apply pesticides when, during the tenth pass, the left wing struck an irrigation pivot. Following the collision with the structure, the aircraft impacted the ground. The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and escaped the accident uninjured, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the pilot was highly experienced, with over 4,800 flight hours and more than 35 years of experience in agricultural aviation. The pilot held all necessary valid licenses and medical certificates. The aircraft was also found to be in airworthy condition, with valid documentation, up-to-date maintenance records, and operating within proper weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were above the minimum requirements for flight.
Investigators reviewed security footage which showed the aircraft flying in a straight and level path until the moment of impact with the pivot. The investigation established that the pilot had diverted his attention from flight tasks to observe a group of children playing near the site, which led to the failure to identify the irrigation pivot as an obstacle in the flight path.
Findings
- Loss of situational awareness due to a failure to identify environmental obstacles.
- Distraction caused by the pilot directing attention toward individuals on the ground rather than maintaining focus on flight tasks.
- Inadequate flight planning, as the pilot failed to analyze critical terrain features and obstacles in the specific operating area prior to the flight.
- Overconfidence stemming from extensive flight experience, which contributed to a lack of rigorous pre-flight assessment.