What happened
On November 6, 2021, an Embraer EMB-202A Ipanema, registered as PT-UYZ, was attempting to depart from an agricultural landing strip at Fazenda Rongi Porã, in Pau D'Arco, Pará, for an aerial spraying mission. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to lift off using the standard 8° flap setting. In an attempt to gain lift, the pilot applied 30° of flaps near the end of the available strip. While this provided a momentary increase in altitude, the increased drag prevented a successful climb. The aircraft subsequently struck a fence at the end of the strip and impacted the ground in a wooded area approximately 170 meters beyond the fence. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot escaped uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the aircraft was operating at a weight that exceeded the safe limits for the available runway length under the prevailing environmental conditions. Although the aircraft's weight was approximately 1,732 kg, the actual usable length of the landing strip was only 790 meters, whereas the required takeoff distance for those conditions was approximately 946 meters. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot did not begin the takeoff roll from the start of the strip, but rather 50 meters in.
The investigators also noted that the use of 30° flaps was not a manufacturer-approved procedure for takeoff and actually increased drag significantly. Additionally, the company's safety risk management (GRSO) document had been created on the day of the accident, despite the pilot having been operating in the area since November 4, indicating a failure in the pre-flight risk assessment process. The investigation also identified an unmapped rock at the end of the takeoff path that was not identified in the risk management plan.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at a weight exceeding the limits for the available runway length and environmental conditions.
- The pilot used an improper flap configuration (30°) that increased drag and hindered performance.
- The usable runway length was significantly shorter than required for the aircraft's weight and temperature.
- There was a failure in managerial supervision regarding operational planning and risk assessment.
- The takeoff roll was initiated 50 meters after the start of the available strip.