What happened
On July 9, 2008, an AT-402B Air Tractor, registration PR-GRV, crashed in the municipality of Primeiro de Maio, Paraná. The aircraft was being operated by Viagro Vidotti Agro Aérea Ltda. for a ferry flight from Dom Aquino, Mato Grosso, to Sertanópolis, Paraná.
As the pilot approached his destination, he performed several low passes over a landing strip near his residence to demonstrate the aircraft's performance to a group of friends. During a subsequent low-altitude maneuver near Marina Ilha do Sol, the pilot attempted an aggressive vertical climb. This maneuver resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a spin. Although the pilot attempted to recover by pulling back on the controls, the aircraft struck the ground with high vertical deceleration. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was a total loss.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and found that the engine and propeller were functioning at high power at the time of impact, ruling out mechanical failure. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within manufacturer limits. An aerobatic maneuver manual was recovered from the debris.
The investigation established that the pilot was not qualified or rated for aerobatic flight, and the AT-402B was not certified for such maneuvers. Witnesses and company records indicated that the pilot had a history of performing unauthorized low-altitude maneuvers, a practice that the company's directors were aware of but had failed to effectively supervise or prohibit due to personal ties.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to perform unauthorized aerobatic maneuvers in a non-certified aircraft at low altitude was the primary cause of the accident.
- The pilot's high level of self-confidence and exhibitionism led him to attempt maneuvers without sufficient altitude for error correction.
- Organizational complacency played a role, as the operator's management was aware of the pilot's risky behavior but did not implement effective supervisory measures.
- The pilot violated established flight rules regarding minimum altitudes over inhabited areas and regulations prohibiting aerobatics in non-certified aircraft.