What happened
On November 19, 2009, an EMB 200 aircraft, registration PT-GDK, was performing aerial spraying operations near Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul. The mission involved surveying and triangularizing a rice plantation at Sítio Carolina. During the second spraying pass, the aircraft's left wing struck a high-voltage transmission tower. Following this initial impact, the aircraft collided with wires from a second electrical network before ultimately crashing into the ground. The impact with the power lines cushioned the final descent, but the aircraft sustained severe structural damage and was considered a total loss. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot was operating in a new area for the first time and had not received a formal briefing regarding local obstacles. At the time of the accident, the weather conditions included strong winds, known locally as the *minuano*, which were blowing at approximately 90 degrees relative to the aircraft's flight path. The investigation noted that the pilot had a habit of looking backward, downward, and to the sides to verify the quality of the spray application, which likely led to a rapid loss of situational awareness. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a local culture within the agricultural aviation group that pressured pilots to fly even in adverse weather conditions to meet high work demands.
Findings
- The pilot's impulsive decision to fly in adverse weather and an improvised flight plan contributed to the accident.
- A lack of familiarity with the specific terrain and obstacles in the new operational area.
- Inadequate flight planning and a lack of formal briefings regarding local hazards.
- Organizational factors, including insufficient supervision of the pilot's aggressive flight style and a lack of standardized operational procedures within the company.
- High operational pressure and a group culture that incentivized performing tasks at any cost, regardless of meteorological risks.