What happened
On July 5, 2022, an AT-502 agricultural aircraft, registration PR-JSM, was performing pesticide application maneuvers over the Fazenda Vale do Rio Verde in Tapurah, Mato Grosso. During the fifth repositioning turn of the day, the aircraft's spray boom struck the cotton crop. This impact destabilized the aircraft, causing the left wingtip to contact the ground, followed by the propeller and landing gear. The aircraft subsequently crashed and caught fire, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe. The pilot sustained serious injuries and passed away approximately 40 days after the accident.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the flight sequence, the pilot's experience, and the aircraft's maintenance status. Investigators found that the aircraft's maintenance records, including the airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks, were up to date, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions at the time were favorable for flight operations.
However, the investigation revealed significant discrepancies regarding the pilot's recent experience. While the pilot's resume claimed over 9,300 flight hours, the digital logbook entries were inconsistent, and the aircraft's logbook had not been updated with recent flight records. Furthermore, the operator's management processes were found to be insufficient in verifying and monitoring the pilot's specific qualifications and recent experience for this type of operation.
Findings
- The spray boom striking the crop during a reversal turn was a primary factor in the sequence of events.
- The sun's position near the horizon, aligned with the aircraft's trajectory, likely caused glare that impaired the pilot's visibility and contributed to a lapse in attention.
- An inadequate assessment of operational parameters during the reversal turn left the pilot with insufficient margin to correct the aircraft's trajectory.
- There was evidence of reduced situational awareness, as the aircraft approached the ground without maintaining wings-level flight.
- Organizational failures within the operator's management prevented the verification of the pilot's recent experience and qualifications.