What happened
On December 5, 2014, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-GTC, was performing a ferry flight from Campo Alegre, Alagoas, to Balsas, Maranhão. The flight plan included intermediate refueling stops in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, and Picos, Piauí. During the en route phase, the aircraft's GPS malfunctioned, hindering navigation.
Due to concerns regarding fuel autonomy and the inability to locate the intended destination, the pilot decided to land in an open, unpaved area near highway PE-360, near Floresta, Pernambuco. After landing in the irregular terrain, the pilot refueled the aircraft using fuel from the hopper. Following the refueling, the pilot attempted to take off to continue the flight to Picos. During the takeoff roll, the pilot lost directional control, causing the aircraft to collide with bushes before coming to a complete stop in a ditch. The pilot remained uninjured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the aircraft was operating without a magnetic compass, which is a requirement for daytime VFR operations under Brazilian regulations (RBHA 91). The pilot, who had recently obtained agricultural pilot certification and had approximately 20 hours of experience in this specific model, was performing this specific route for the first time and had not performed adequate flight planning.
Investigators noted that while the available runway length at the site exceeded the manufacturer's required takeoff distance for the aircraft's weight and environmental conditions, the pilot failed to account for the irregular terrain. The successful landing in the field created a false sense of security, which impaired the pilot's ability to assess the risks of the subsequent takeoff.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning for the specific route.
- Poor pilot judgment regarding the suitability of the takeoff surface.
- Lack of experience in the aircraft type and the specific mission.
- Failure to account for terrain undulations and obstacles (bushes) during takeoff.
- Inadequate management supervision.
- Lack of essential navigation equipment (magnetic compass) on the aircraft.