What happened
On October 14, 2009, an EMB-201A agricultural aircraft, registration PT-UEP, was performing crop dusting operations near Rio Brilhante, Mato Grosso do Sul. The flight departed from the Eldorado Mill aerodrome at 17:10 local time. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, while the pilot was maneuvering the aircraft to begin the first spray pass, the aircraft experienced a loss of control and collided with the ground.
The pilot survived the impact uninjured, though the aircraft sustained severe damage to the landing gear, propeller blades, and a puncture to the left wing tip. The aircraft was operating at an estimated weight of 1,750 kg, which was near its maximum takeoff weight of 1,800 kg.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the low-altitude maneuver. Investigators noted that the aircraft was operating in high ambient temperatures, approximately 33 degrees Celsius, which affects aerodynamic performance. The investigation examined the pilot's experience, noting the pilot was fully qualified with a valid commercial license and sufficient experience for this type of operation.
Technical inspections confirmed that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid and that maintenance, including recent 100-hour and 1000-hour inspections, had been performed recently. The investigation also looked into the impact characteristics, noting the aircraft struck the plantation in a level attitude, suggesting the loss of control occurred rapidly during the maneuver.
Findings
- The pilot likely applied flight controls inappropriately while maneuvering to align with the spray path, leading to a loss of lift.
- High ambient temperatures and the high weight of the aircraft likely reduced engine and aerodynamic performance, making the aircraft more susceptible to stalls during aggressive maneuvers.
- The low altitude at the time of the maneuver left insufficient time for the pilot to execute corrective actions, such as lowering the nose to regain airspeed.
- Inadequate flight planning regarding the impact of weather conditions, aircraft configuration, and flight altitude on performance was a contributing factor.