Fatal Agricultural Spraying Accident Involves EMB-201A in Brazil

Casualties unknown • SãO DESIDéRIO, BA, BR

A single-engine EMB-201A aircraft crashed and burned during an agricultural spraying operation in São Desidério, Brazil, resulting in the pilot's death.

What happened

On June 20, 2020, an EMB-201A aircraft, registration PT-GXG, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a cotton plantation at Fazenda Tara, located in São Desidério, Bahia. The aircraft had departed from a local landing strip at approximately 16:00 UTC to apply pesticides.

Roughly 30 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into the plantation. The aircraft was found overturned and consumed by fire, approximately 5 km from the departure site. Evidence at the scene showed ground contact marks 33 meters from the final resting position, aligned with the 180-degree magnetic heading of the spraying path. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and fatal injuries to the pilot.

Probable cause

The investigation concluded that the accident was likely caused by a loss of attention or fatigue resulting from task overload, as the pilot was responsible for all pre-flight and ground operations.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-06-20 aircraft accident near SãO DESIDéRIO, BA, BR?

A single-engine EMB-201A aircraft crashed and burned during an agricultural spraying operation in São Desidério, Brazil, resulting in the pilot's death.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-06-20 involved a aircraft, registration PTGXG, at SãO DESIDéRIO, BA, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The investigation concluded that the accident was likely caused by a loss of attention or fatigue resulting from task overload, as the pilot was responsible for all pre-flight and ground operations.

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