What happened
On August 2, 2021, at approximately 14:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-GYG, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a sugarcane plantation at Fazenda Estrela do Sul, near Umuarama, Paraná. The aircraft, operated by Ceal Aviação Agrícola Ltda., was conducting its second pass over a specific area of the field.
During this maneuver, the aircraft crossed a local electrical transmission line. As the pilot descended to a more suitable altitude for spraying, the aircraft's landing gear struck the sugarcane crops. This impact caused a loss of control, leading the aircraft to skid across the ground and capsize. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot emerged from the wreckage uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and medical certification. The aircraft was also in a compliant state, with a valid airworthiness certificate, up-to-date maintenance logs, and operating within proper weight and balance limits. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with calm winds and good visibility.
Investigators found that while the company had provided a map identifying local power lines, the pilot was unable to correctly orient the chart or identify critical landmarks, indicating a failure in flight planning. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a lack of effective management oversight, noting that the operator had failed to detect the pilot's limitations in navigating the provided safety tools.