What happened
On January 19, 2010, a Cessna A188B, registration PT-FNI, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Farol, Rio Grande do Sul. Following a refueling and chemical loading process, the aircraft took off from a 600-meter unpaved strip. Shortly after liftoff, the pilot experienced a loss of lift, causing the left wing to drop and the aircraft to veer from the runway centerline. In an attempt to correct the wing drop, the pilot inadvertently caused the right landing gear to strike the ground, which resulted in the detachment of the spray boom. The aircraft subsequently collided with the ground, coming to a rest approximately 30 meters from the runway.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that while the aircraft was within its maximum takeoff weight and center of gravity limits, several operational failures occurred. The pilot did not perform a ground reconnaissance of the strip prior to the operation, nor was a windsock installed to indicate wind direction. The investigation found that the pilot had a habit of not consulting aircraft performance charts and using the full length of the runway to rotate, which in this instance led to rotation before reaching the necessary rotation speed. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the operator, BRASAG, lacked adequate management supervision, leaving flight planning and operational safety entirely to the discretion of the pilot.
Findings
- The pilot failed to consult takeoff performance charts, which would have accounted for environmental variables.
- The pilot did not perform a ground reconnaissance of the landing strip or verify wind conditions.
- The aircraft was operating with outdated maintenance logbooks.
- The operator provided insufficient oversight regarding flight planning and operational standardization.
- The presence of a tailwind component, which was not properly assessed, likely increased the required takeoff distance.