What happened
On December 20, 2019, an EMB-201A agricultural aircraft, registration PT-UAA, was performing a local crop dusting mission over a sugarcane plantation near Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais. The flight was being operated by Precisão Aeroagrícola Ltda-EPP. Approximately two minutes after completing the spraying operations, the engine suffered a sudden loss of power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful, necessitating an emergency landing in a nearby soybean field.
While the landing itself was relatively smooth, the uneven terrain and the soybean crop caused the landing gear to snag, leading the aircraft to capsize. The pilot sustained light injuries, but the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's operational status and fuel levels. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and qualified for the mission, and the weather conditions were favorable. However, investigators discovered that the aircraft was operating with hydrated ethyl alcohol (ethanol) instead of the AvGas 100LL required by its type certification. No technical records were found to support a legal engine conversion for ethanol use, meaning the aircraft was not in an airworthy configuration.
Furthermore, the investigation found that the fuel level had dropped below the unuseable fuel limit. According to the manufacturer's manual, the EMB-201A has a total capacity of 292 liters, with 264 liters being usable. The investigation determined that the fuel remaining was insufficient to maintain engine operation.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by insufficient fuel to power the engine.
- The aircraft was operating with an unapproved fuel type (ethanol) without documented engine conversion.
- The aircraft was not in an airworthy condition due to the unauthorized fuel use.
- Inadequate flight planning regarding fuel reserves contributed to the event.