What happened
On January 30, 2007, an EMB-202 Ipanema, registration PT-UKV, crashed near Tapurah, Mato Grosso, shortly after departing from a temporary landing strip at Fazenda Vale do Rio Verde. The aircraft was performing an agricultural operation and was being used to transport an agricultural technician to a different location.
Immediately after takeoff, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The plane entered an abnormal attitude and struck the ground approximately 300 meters from the runway. The impact was violent, with the aircraft striking the terrain at a 45-degree left bank and a 45-degree nose-down attitude. The crash resulted in one fatality (the passenger) and serious injuries to the pilot. The aircraft was destroyed beyond economic repair.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the loss of control. Investigators found that the aircraft was configured for single-pilot operation, yet the pilot was transporting a passenger in the cabin area. Because the EMB-202 is a monoplace aircraft, the passenger was positioned without a seat or a seatbelt, with their body partially inside the cabin area.
While the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, investigators noted that maintenance logs had not been updated following the last major inspection, making it impossible to confirm if all required inspections based on flight hours had been completed. Additionally, while the exact center of gravity (CG) could not be determined due to chemical and fuel leaks at the crash site, investigators considered whether the passenger's presence shifted the CG outside of safe limits. There was also evidence suggesting the engine may have been at low RPM at the time of impact, indicating a possible power loss.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to transport an unauthorized passenger in an unseated, unsecured position significantly reduced the margin of safety.
- The passenger's presence in the cabin likely restricted the pilot's ability to move the flight controls, specifically the control stick.
- The unauthorized transport may have shifted the aircraft's center of gravity outside of manufacturer-specified limits.
- The pilot demonstrated a disregard for established safety regulations and manufacturer manuals.
- There was a lack of adequate flight planning and operational supervision, as the practice of using the aircraft for personnel transport appeared to be an established, albeit irregular, practice to save time and resources.
Safety action
CENIPA issued a safety recommendation to regional investigation offices (SERIPA) to disseminate the lessons learned from this accident to agricultural aviation operators, specifically highlighting the extreme risks associated with transporting passengers or cargo in unauthorized areas of the aircraft.