What happened
On December 14, 2021, a Neiva EMB-202 performing agricultural spraying operations collided with a tree near Fazenda Ouro e Prata in Caracol, Mato Grosso do Sul. The aircraft, registered as PT-UMH, was operating at a very low altitude while applying agricultural pesticides.
During the third pass of the application area, the pilot noticed that the spray nozzles appeared to be clogged. While the pilot's attention was focused on inspecting the distribution bar, the aircraft's left wing struck an isolated tree. This impact caused a loss of control, leading the aircraft to strike vegetation and a wire fence before hitting the ground in a nose-down attitude. The impact was severe enough to cause the engine to detach from the fuselage. The pilot survived the accident without injuries, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and a medical certificate, with significant experience in this aircraft type. The aircraft was operating under a Special Flight Authorization (AEV) as required for its restricted category.
Investigators found that the aircraft had departed approximately 113 kg above the manufacturer's maximum takeoff weight, placing the center of gravity forward of the allowable limit. While the pilot was aware of the tree's presence in the area, the investigation noted a failure in maintaining situational awareness. Furthermore, the operator failed to provide several key safety management documents, including recent training records and the specific risk management plan for the application area, which hindered a full assessment of the company's Safety Management System (SMS) effectiveness.