What happened
On November 18, 2023, at approximately 09:10 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201 aircraft, registration PT-GGU, was performing an agricultural spraying mission near Fazenda Matão, in Campo Alegre, Alagoas. The aircraft had departed from Aeródromo Usina Porto Rico (SNUP) to apply biological insecticides to a sugarcane field.
After completing the first pass of the application, the pilot executed a high-bank reversal maneuver, commonly known as a "balloon" turn, to reposition for the next pass. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck an 11-meter-high electrical power line. The impact caused three cables to become entangled with the aircraft's landing gear, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently crashed into nearby vegetation and caught fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and passed away ten days after the accident.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified with valid medical and agricultural ratings, and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits. The engine was found to be in good working order with no evidence of in-flight failure.
Investigators examined the operational environment and found that while the pilot was familiar with the area, the flight planning failed to account for critical environmental factors. The investigation also noted that the pilot's attention was likely divided between managing the aircraft's equipment and maintaining situational awareness during the high-load maneuver. Furthermore, the presence of sunlight at a specific angle, combined with a dirty windshield caused by chemical residue, significantly hindered the pilot's ability to detect the low-hanging wires.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning, specifically regarding the timing of the operation in relation to the sun's position.
- Impaired pilot judgment due to the selection of a maneuver path in close proximity to known electrical obstacles.
- Visual impairment caused by solar glare and a contaminated windshield (residue from previous spraying).
- Reduced situational awareness resulting from a high workload and the accumulation of sensory stimuli during the reversal maneuver.
Safety action
CENIPA issued recommendations to the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to:
- Disseminate lessons learned from this accident to agricultural operators to warn pilots about the risks of solar glare and obstacle collision during spraying operations.
- Evaluate the necessity of revising safety equipment requirements for agricultural pilots, specifically considering the mandatory use of flame-resistant flight suits and gloves to improve survival chances in the event of an aircraft fire.