What happened
On December 14, 2018, an EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UIQ, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Nova Andradina, Mato Grosso do Sul. After completing its final application of pesticides, the aircraft performed an emergency landing in a sugarcane plantation near Fazenda Dallas. The impact caused the aircraft to travel approximately 8 meters along the ground and rotate 165 degrees to the right. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, emerged from the wreckage uninjured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including the collapse of both main landing gears and damage to the wings, engine, and propeller.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the flight path using DGPS data. The investigation focused on determining whether a mechanical failure or an external obstacle caused the incident. Analysis of the fuel showed that the ethanol used was within specifications and free of contamination. Furthermore, testing of the Lycoming IO-540-K1J5 engine revealed no operational abnormalities.
Physical evidence on the aircraft indicated impact marks on the leading edge of the right wing, specifically near the landing light and the area encompassing the aileron and flaps. This led investigators to conclude that the aircraft likely struck a tree located on the right side of the application area. The investigation also reviewed the operator's Safety Risk Management (SRM) processes, noting that the existing tools failed to identify the tree as a hazard or implement mitigation strategies for the specific application area.
Findings
- Collision with obstacle: The aircraft's right wing leading edge struck a tree, which compromised the aerodynamic profile of the wing, likely causing increased drag and reduced lift.
- Visual impairment: The timing of the flight, with the sun positioned to the west, may have caused glare, reducing the pilot's situational awareness and ability to perceive the obstacle.
- Inadequate hazard identification: The operator's safety management tools were ineffective at identifying the vertical obstacle during flight planning.
- Operational oversight: The pilot's attention may have been diverted by the task of spraying, or reduced due to high experience levels, while the organizational management failed to mitigate known risks in the application zone.