What happened
On December 30, 2021, at approximately 20:30 UTC, an Embraer EMB-202A, registration PT-WBA, was attempting to take off from an agricultural landing strip at Fazenda Paraíso, located in Jataí, Goiás. The aircraft was being operated for private agricultural spraying purposes with one pilot on board.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to become airborne before reaching the end of the available runway. The aircraft overran the limits of the landing area and collided with uneven terrain located at the end of the strip. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses for single-engine land and agricultural aircraft operations, as well as a valid medical certificate. The aircraft was within its weight and balance limits, with an estimated takeoff weight of 1,760 kg, below the maximum allowable 1,800 kg. Maintenance records were up to date, and fuel samples were found to be in compliance with regulatory specifications.
The investigation focused on the runway characteristics and performance requirements. The landing strip, consisting of unpaved earth, measured approximately 900 meters in length. However, calculations based on the aircraft's operating manual indicated that the required takeoff distance under the prevailing conditions—including a temperature of approximately 30°C, an uphill gradient (aclive) during the takeoff roll, and the specific agricultural configuration—was approximately 1,234 meters. This exceeded the available runway length by 334 meters.
Furthermore, video evidence showed that the engine acceleration was gradual and constant, only reaching maximum power several meters after the start of the runway. This delayed acceleration, combined with the uphill slope, increased the ground roll distance beyond the predicted 774 meters.
Findings
- Insufficient runway length relative to the required takeoff distance under the specific environmental and operational conditions.
- Inadequate flight planning regarding takeoff performance.
- Errors in pilot judgment regarding the takeoff roll.
- Improper application of flight controls during the takeoff phase.