What happened
On November 8, 2013, an Embraer EMB-201A aircraft, registration PT-UDG, was performing its eighth takeoff of the day at a private landing strip located at Granja Águas Claras, near Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul. The mission involved the aerial application of urea in an area adjacent to the runway.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot realized the aircraft would not achieve lift-off before the end of the available runway. In an attempt to reduce weight and increase performance, the pilot jettisoned the cargo. Despite this action, the aircraft could not clear the runway end and subsequently collided with a fence. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the engine, propeller, landing gear, and the tip of the right wing. The pilot was uninjured, and no third-party damage was reported.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators analyzed the aircraft's performance requirements against the actual runway conditions. Based on the manufacturer's performance tables, the aircraft required approximately 748 meters of runway for takeoff, given its weight of 1,607 kg and the ambient temperature of 30°C recorded at the time. However, the unpaved runway at the site was measured to be only 587 meters in length.
Investigators confirmed that the pilot held valid medical and technical certifications and possessed significant flight experience, including 2,000 total flight hours and 700 hours in the specific model. The aircraft was also found to be in compliance with airworthiness requirements, with all weight and balance limits respected and maintenance logs up to date.