What happened
On May 8, 2017, at approximately 18:30 UTC, an EMB-202 Neiva, registration PT-USG, departed from Aeródromo Fazenda Locks in Nova Maringá, Mato Grosso, to perform agricultural spraying operations. The aircraft was operating as a private agricultural flight.
Following takeoff, the pilot initiated a right turn and subsequently began a left-hand turn to position the aircraft for spraying over a forested area. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a loss of lift. In an attempt to recover, the pilot jettisoned the chemical payload, but the aircraft ultimately collided with the treetops. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though the pilot emerged uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation focused on the flight dynamics and the operational environment of the agricultural mission. Investigators examined the aircraft's performance capabilities, noting that while the takeoff weight of 1,760kg exceeded the recommended limits for the 800m unpaved runway used, this was not considered a direct cause of the accident as the aircraft was theoretically capable of flight.
Investigators analyzed the stall characteristics of the EMB-202, noting that stall speed increases drastically with increased bank angle. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying at an altitude of only 5 to 10 meters above the canopy, leaving no margin for recovery once the stall occurred. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight management, finding that the pilot relied on physical "feel" rather than monitoring airspeed and altitude parameters through cross-checks.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning and attitude, characterized by an empirical approach to flight management rather than following standard operational procedures.
- Reduced situational awareness, as the pilot failed to recognize that the operational parameters were approaching the aircraft's aerodynamic limits.
- Loss of focus, leading to a failure to monitor critical flight instruments during the maneuver.
- Improper maneuvering at low altitude and low speed, which triggered the loss of lift during a high-bank turn.