What happened
On May 18, 2023, at approximately 11:25 UTC, an Embraer EMB-202 performing agricultural spraying operations crashed into a plantation at Fazenda BM, located in Canarana, Mato Grosso. The aircraft, registration PT-UQH, was operating at a low altitude to apply pesticides when the pilot attempted to maneuver around a low-voltage power line. During the recovery from this maneuver, the pilot encountered a lateral and descending wind current. This caused the aircraft's spray boom to strike the crops, resulting in a loss of control and a subsequent forced landing. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including impacts to the propeller, engine cowling, and left landing gear, but the pilot emerged uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified with valid medical and agricultural flight certifications, and possessed over 911 total flight hours, including 422 hours in this specific model. The aircraft was within its weight and balance limits, and all maintenance records, including the airworthiness certificate, were up to date.
Investigators analyzed meteorological data from nearby stations in Gaúcha do Norte and Querência. While the local site lacked a weather station, the data indicated variable winds with gusts estimated between 7 and 9 knots. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's operational manual, noting that while the 10-knot crosswind value is a demonstrated parameter rather than a strict operational limit, exceeding it could lead to unpredictable handling. The investigation also noted that the flight path was perpendicular to the power lines, whereas a parallel path could have avoided the obstacle entirely.
Findings
- The spray boom made contact with the plantation during the maneuver to avoid the power line.
- Wind gusts in the area were likely near the aircraft's demonstrated crosswind limit, complicating control during low-altitude flight.
- Inadequate flight planning contributed to the accident, as the chosen trajectory required crossing an obstacle that could have been avoided.
- The pilot's reaction time was likely limited due to the low altitude of the operation.