What happened
On February 28, 2011, an EMB-202A aircraft, registration PT-UXS, was performing agricultural spraying operations at Fazenda Estrela do Aripuanã in Mato Grosso, Brazil. During the recovery phase of a reversal maneuver, the aircraft suffered a sudden loss of engine power.
In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot jettisoned the chemical load from the hopper. Due to the rugged terrain and various obstacles at the site, the pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing, which resulted in the aircraft colliding with the ground. The aircraft sustained severe damage to the engine, propeller, main landing gear, and left wing, though the pilot emerged from the accident uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the fuel storage and handling procedures at the farm. The investigation revealed that the ethanol used for the flight was stored in reusable polyurethane drums that had previously been used to store agricultural pesticides.
Laboratory analysis conducted by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) confirmed that the fuel samples taken from both the aircraft and the storage drums were non-compliant with official specifications. The testing identified significant impurities and deviations in specific gravity and alcohol content. Investigators determined that the improper reuse of containers led to the contamination of the fuel with agrochemical residues.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was the use of contaminated fuel containing impurities and agrochemical residues.
- Improper fuel storage practices were identified, specifically the use of polyurethane drums that did not meet the requirements of ABNT NBR 15216, which mandates the use of stainless or carbon steel drums with epoxy linings.
- Inadequate management supervision allowed for the use of containers that had previously held pesticides, leading to chemical contamination.
- The pilot was properly qualified, experienced, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits at the time of the event.