What happened
On May 20, 2015, at 14:00 UTC, a Piper PA-2-235 (registration PR-PTN) was performing agricultural spraying operations near Cambará, Paraná. The aircraft had departed from an improvised runway at Fazenda Água 3M to begin spraying a second area of farmland. Prior to the flight, the pilot had been informed by the landowner about the presence of two electrical power lines in the area and had conducted a reconnaissance flight to identify them.
During the initial pass of the spraying mission, the pilot encountered the power lines unexpectedly. In an attempt to avoid the obstacle, the pilot applied improper control inputs, causing the aircraft to pitch down into a dive. The pilot was unable to recover from the descent, resulting in a collision with the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's flight planning and the operational oversight provided by the operator. Investigators confirmed that the pilot held valid medical and rating certifications, with 500 total flight hours, including 160 hours on the specific aircraft model. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, and the plane was within weight and balance limits with up-to-date maintenance logs.
However, the investigation established that while the pilot had performed a reconnaissance flight, the information gathered was insufficient for precise planning regarding the exact location of the wires. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the aircraft's propeller was removed from the scene prior to the arrival of investigators without authorization from SERIPA V.
Findings
- Inappropriate use of flight controls during the attempt to avoid the power lines.
- Inadequate flight planning, as the pilot began the spraying operation without verifying the exact position of the electrical lines.
- Lack of pilot experience in the specific area of operation.
- Inadequate management supervision, as the operator allowed the agricultural mission to proceed without ensuring the pilot had all necessary information for a safe operation.