What happened
On August 28, 2022, at approximately 20:30 UTC, a Cessna A188B, registration PR-PAV, was performing an agricultural spraying operation over a eucalyptus plantation at Fazenda Espingarda Mampei, in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Mato Grosso do Sul. The aircraft was conducting a local flight to apply pesticides at a low altitude.
During the eighth pass of the mission, the left wing of the aircraft collided with the top of a eucalyptus tree, which stood approximately three meters high. Following the impact, the pilot performed a forced landing. The aircraft traveled approximately 50 meters along the ground before coming to a complete stop after a 180-degree left turn. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the engine, propeller, landing gear, fuselage, tail surfaces, wings, and flaps, but the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational environment and the pilot's performance. Investigators confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and qualified for the mission, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits with valid airworthiness certification. Meteorological conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 km.
Technical examination of the wreckage showed no evidence of engine failure or mechanical malfunction. However, the investigation identified that while the operator had a Safety Management System (SMS) in place, the specific Risk Management (GRSO) for the landing strip did not include analyses of the associated application areas. Furthermore, investigators noted that the maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date.
Findings
- Flight planning contributed to the accident because the lack of a specific risk assessment for the application area prevented the identification of tall trees that acted as potential obstacles.
- Inadequate managerial supervision was identified, as the company failed to provide the necessary safety tools for the specific operational area and lacked updated maintenance documentation.
- Loss of attention contributed to the event, as the pilot reported that the repetitive nature of the spraying passes led to an "automated" state of mind, reducing situational awareness and the ability to monitor external stimuli.