Agricultural Aircraft Collides with Power Lines in Minas Gerais

Casualties unknown • UNAÍ, MG, BR

A Neiva EMB-201A crashed in rural Unaí after striking electrical cables during a reconnaissance flight, resulting in the pilot's death.

What happened

On August 18, 2020, at approximately 15:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-UAY, was conducting a local reconnaissance flight over a rural area in Montes Claros, near Unaí, Minas Gerais. The aircraft, operated by Protege Aero Agrícola Ltda., was performing a low-altitude flight to survey an area intended for upcoming agricultural spraying operations.

Eight minutes after departing from Aeródromo Maicom Manica (S/JVU), the aircraft struck electrical power lines. The impact caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, leading to a subsequent collision with the ground. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft and fatal injuries to the pilot.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by a failure in flight planning that resulted in the pilot flying directly toward the sun, causing glare that obscured the visibility of electrical cables, compounded by the pilot's lack of recent operational experience.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-08-18 aircraft accident near UNAÍ, MG, BR?

A Neiva EMB-201A crashed in rural Unaí after striking electrical cables during a reconnaissance flight, resulting in the pilot's death.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-08-18 involved a aircraft, registration PTUAY, at UNAÍ, MG, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by a failure in flight planning that resulted in the pilot flying directly toward the sun, causing glare that obscured the visibility of electrical cables, compounded by the pilot's lack of recent operational experience.

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