What happened
On December 18, 2020, an EMB-200A agricultural aircraft, registration PT-GBJ, was performing pesticide application maneuvers near Fazenda Rancho Fundo in Goiatuba, Goiás. The aircraft departed from a local landing strip for a local flight operation. During the return leg of the flight, while flying at an altitude between 30 and 60 meters, the aircraft's right wing struck a steel guy wire used to stabilize a radio/internet antenna tower. The impact caused the pilot to lose control, leading the aircraft to collide with the ground approximately 130 meters from the initial point of impact. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft, the pilot's credentials, and the operational environment. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, and the engine, cell, and propeller records were up to date. The aircraft was within weight and balance limits at the time of the accident. Meteorological conditions were found to be favorable and well above the minimums required for flight.
Regarding the pilot, while the commander held valid commercial and agricultural licenses, investigators could not verify if the pilot met the specific recent experience requirements mandated by Brazilian civil aviation regulations. Additionally, the investigation noted that the operator lacked evidence of active risk management or hazard identification processes. The investigation also observed significant torsion in the antenna tower structure caused by the impact.
Findings
- The collision with the antenna guy wire was the primary cause of the loss of control.
- Inadequate flight planning failed to account for known obstacles, such as the antenna wires, within the operational environment.
- Potential deficiencies in the pilot's recent experience may have reduced situational awareness regarding hazards in the flight path.
- A lack of structured organizational processes for risk assessment and mitigation contributed to the introduction of operational vulnerabilities.
- Inadequate management supervision regarding operational planning and risk management.