What happened
On April 18, 2013, at approximately 20:35 UTC, an Embraer EMB-202A, registration PT-UZH, was performing an agricultural spraying operation at Fazenda Santa Lurdes in Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil. The flight was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions.
During the takeoff roll on an improvised dirt runway—a service road used by the operator for agricultural purposes—the pilot encountered a depression in the terrain near the takeoff end. In an attempt to avoid this uneven ground, the pilot steered the aircraft to the right. This lateral movement was greater than anticipated, causing the right wingtip to strike a nearby sugarcane plantation. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate toward the field. The high engine power at the time of the excursion resulted in significant impact forces.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the takeoff roll and the characteristics of the improvised runway. Investigators confirmed that the pilot was properly qualified, holding valid medical and technical certifications, and that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition with valid documentation. The aircraft was also within its proper weight and balance limits at the time of the event. The investigation established that the primary cause of the excursion was the pilot's maneuver to avoid the terrain depression, which inadvertently led to the wingtip strike.
Findings
- The pilot executed a lateral deviation to avoid a depression in the runway surface.
- The deviation caused the right wingtip to collide with a well-developed sugarcane crop.
- The aircraft sustained severe damage to the propeller blades, left wing, and landing gear, with minor damage to the right wing.
- The pilot escaped the accident uninjured.