What happened
On April 21, 2001, an EMB-202 agricultural aircraft, registration PT-UHB, was conducting a crop-dusting mission near Luiz Antônio, São Paulo. Five minutes after departing from Fazenda América, the pilot experienced sudden, severe abdominal pain. Seeking an immediate landing, the pilot identified an unpaved road cutting through a sugarcane field as a potential runway.
During the short final approach, the pilot's vision was obscured by direct sunlight. The right wingtip struck the sugarcane plantation, and although the pilot attempted a go-around using maximum power, the aircraft lost control. The aircraft entered the plantation, struck a contour bank with the left landing gear, and subsequently overturned, coming to rest on its back. The pilot escaped the wreckage with minor injuries, but the aircraft sustained severe damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the physiological state of the pilot and the operational decision-making process. Investigators examined the pilot's recent health, noting reports of stomach cramps the previous day and potential exposure to chemical pesticides (Ethrel) and inadequate food quality at the operational site. The investigation also evaluated the aircraft's configuration, confirming it was within weight and balance limits and that all maintenance documentation was up to date. The analysis considered whether the pilot's attempt to land on an improvised strip, combined with sun glare and the sudden application of power during the go-around, led to the loss of control.
Findings
- The pilot's inadequate judgment during the approach to the improvised landing strip led to a deviation from the runway axis.
- Potential food poisoning or pesticide toxicity contributed to the pilot's sudden physical impairment.
- The pilot's decision to use an unpaved road amidst sugarcane, while facing sun glare, significantly increased the risk of collision.
- A lack of effective management supervision failed to address underlying risks, such as the quality of food provided to crews and the monitoring of pilots' physical health and chemical exposure.