What happened
On November 11, 2021, at approximately 12:40 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-GRQ, crashed in the vicinity of Fazenda Pé de Limão, in the municipality of Lagoa da Confusão, Tocantins. The aircraft, operated by Canaã Aeroagrícola Ltda.-ME, had departed from a local agricultural landing strip to perform a reconnaissance flight for the purpose of surveying an area for pesticide application.
Shortly after takeoff, while flying at a low altitude, the aircraft experienced a loss of control and struck the ground. The impact resulted in two fatalities, involving the pilot and one passenger. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational and regulatory compliance of the flight. The pilot in command was fully qualified with valid commercial and agricultural licenses and a valid medical certificate. The passenger, also a pilot, held a valid commercial license but had an expired agricultural rating.
Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance and certification status. While the airworthiness certificate was valid, the investigation found that the aircraft's logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date. Furthermore, there were no flight records for the eleven months preceding the accident, making it impossible to determine the total flight hours accumulated since the last 100-hour inspection.
Crucially, the investigation identified that the Neiva EMB-201A was certified for a single occupant only. The presence of a second person on board violated the Type Certificate and Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulations (RBAC 137), which prohibit the transport of passengers in such agricultural aircraft. Additionally, the operator was not a certified air operator (COA) and was subject to specific limitations regarding private agricultural operations.
Findings
- The aircraft was certified for a single occupant, but a passenger was on board, which created a significant safety risk as the passenger lacked a proper seat and safety restraints.
- The presence of the passenger may have caused a physical obstruction or blockage of the flight controls, potentially leading to the loss of control.
- The operator was operating in violation of regulations regarding private agricultural service limitations.
- There was a lack of updated maintenance documentation and flight logs.
- Improper flight planning and judgment regarding the unauthorized transport of a passenger were key contributing factors.