What happened
On December 11, 2021, at approximately 19:40 UTC, an Embraer EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UXD, was performing an agricultural spraying mission in a rural area of Santa Vitória do Palmar, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft had departed from the Sassa Marmeleiro agricultural landing strip to apply pesticides.
While positioning itself within the application area, the aircraft entered a left-hand turn. During this maneuver, the pilot experienced a sudden increase in bank angle and a loss of lift, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft struck the ground near a ditch, crossed a bank, and underwent a vertical axis rotation that caused the engine and propeller assembly to separate from the fuselage. The impact triggered a post-crash fire that almost entirely consumed the aircraft. The pilot sustained severe injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight history, the pilot's qualifications, and the aircraft's maintenance records. The pilot was highly experienced, with approximately 4,000 total flight hours and 300 hours in the Embraer EMB-202 model. The aircraft was found to be in a valid state of airworthiness, with up-to-date maintenance logs and operating within weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions at the time were favorable for visual flight.
The investigation focused on the aerodynamic forces during the turn. The pilot reported that moderate winds were present and that the aircraft was heavy due to the payload. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's operational manual, which specifies load factor limits for the restricted category used in agricultural operations. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's self-assessment, noting a highly confident and bold professional profile.