What happened
On October 2, 2022, at approximately 19:00 UTC, an EMB-203 aircraft, registration PS-WZL, was attempting to take off from an agricultural landing strip at Fazenda Novo Horizonte in Nova Bandeirantes, Mato Grosso. The flight was intended for seed dispersal operations. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to achieve flight and overran the longitudinal limits of the landing area, subsequently colliding with obstacles located on the terrain at the end of the runway trajectory. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the operational conditions and the physical characteristics of the landing strip. While the operator's risk management documentation suggested a runway length of 650 meters, post-accident measurements revealed that the actual obstacle-free length was only approximately 560 meters, roughly 14% shorter than expected.
The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's performance requirements. Under the specific conditions of the accident—including a weight of 1,672 kg, an estimated temperature of 27°C, and a reported tailwind component of 5 knots—calculations indicated that approximately 760 meters of runway would have been required for a safe takeoff. Furthermore, because the aircraft was operating on an unprepared surface with agricultural equipment, a multiplication factor of 1.4 would need to be applied to the takeoff distance, significantly increasing the required runway length. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and qualified, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits with valid airworthiness documentation.
Findings
- The available obstacle-free runway length was insufficient for the required takeoff distance.
- The pilot encountered a tailwind during the takeoff roll.
- The takeoff distance calculations based on the aircraft's manual were not properly observed.
- The presence of obstacles (a fence) at the end of the runway contributed to the collision.
- Inadequate flight planning and pilot judgment regarding the takeoff performance in the specific environmental conditions.