What happened
On October 16, 2022, a Neiva EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UOL, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a plantation at Fazenda Flamboyant in Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul. During the spraying process, the engine failed, prompting the pilot to perform an emergency landing in a cultivated area. Following the touchdown, the aircraft encountered soft, plowed soil and subsequently rolled over.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and medical certification, with significant experience in the aircraft type. The aircraft was also in compliance with airworthiness requirements, with all maintenance logs up to date and the weight and balance within limits. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were well above the minimum requirements for flight.
Upon inspecting the wreckage, investigators found that the fuel selector was set to the right tank, which was empty. Although the left tank contained fuel, the pilot failed to recognize the fuel exhaustion or switch the selector before the engine stopped. Furthermore, the investigation examined the landing technique, noting that the pilot's focus on applying the brakes during the emergency descent may have contributed to the loss of control on the uneven terrain.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to switch the fuel selector to the left tank.
- The pilot's attention and memory regarding fuel management contributed to the engine flameout.
- The aircraft's rollover was influenced by the pilot's use of the brakes during the emergency landing on soft, uncompacted soil.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, wingtips, left wing, and cockpit.