What happened
On April 27, 2014, an Embraer EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UNB, was performing an agricultural spraying mission from a private landing strip at Fazenda Bom Jesus in Pedra Preta, Mato Grosso. The aircraft, operated by a private entity, was carrying a total weight of 1,796.56 kg.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot utilized a 20° flap setting, a practice the pilot noted was common but which is not supported by the aircraft's operating manual. As the aircraft reached the end of the 1,010-meter runway, the pilot rotated the aircraft at approximately 77 mph. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft experienced a loss of lift, and the pilot heard the stall warning. In an attempt to manage the situation, the pilot moved the flaps to the 30° position. The aircraft failed to maintain flight, impacting the ground approximately 40 meters beyond the end of the runway and resulting in a nose-over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's performance capabilities and the pilot's decision-making process. The investigation focused on the discrepancy between the pilot's takeoff configuration and the manufacturer's recommendations. While the aircraft was below its maximum takeoff weight of 1,800 kg, the available runway length was insufficient for the environmental conditions and weight.
Investigators also analyzed the pilot's emergency response. Although the aircraft's emergency procedures for a forced landing include jettisoning the chemical load, the pilot did not perform this action. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the pilot's recent training history, noting that the pilot had transitioned to the EMB-202 from a PA-25 Pawnee only five months prior. The physical layout of the control levers in the Pawnee—where the jettison lever is positioned forward—differed from the EMB-202, where the flap lever is in the forward position, potentially leading to an instinctive but incorrect action during the emergency.
Findings
- The pilot utilized a 20° flap setting for takeoff, a configuration for which the aircraft's operating manual provides no performance data and which the manufacturer strongly advises against.
- The available runway length was approximately 188 meters shorter than the required distance calculated for the aircraft's weight and environmental conditions.
- The pilot's decision to extend flaps to 30° during the stall event increased aerodynamic drag, which prevented the aircraft from maintaining flight.
- The pilot failed to jettison the chemical load, a critical step in the established emergency procedures for a forced landing.
- There was a lack of familiarity with the EMB-202's specific emergency procedures and performance tables, likely due to the recent transition from a different aircraft type.
- The operator's oversight was insufficient to correct operational deviations or ensure adherence to safety limits.