What happened
On December 18, 2014, at approximately 19:00 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201A, registration PT-UAD, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft had departed from an improvised landing strip to apply pesticides. During the return leg of the flight, the aircraft struck the surface of a dam, causing it to capsize. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the wreckage without injury, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and interviewed witnesses to reconstruct the flight path. While the pilot initially claimed that a loss of engine power—caused by failing to switch fuel selectors—forced an emergency landing, physical evidence and digital data contradicted this account. Analysis of the propeller blades showed deformations consistent with the engine producing power at the moment of impact, suggesting no engine failure occurred.
Furthermore, data retrieved from the onboard Differential GPS (DGPS) revealed that the aircraft had flown below the altitude of the landing strip on at least two occasions. Witnesses also reported seeing the aircraft performing extremely low-level passes over the dam, noting that the wheels appeared to "skid" on the water's surface just moments before the aircraft lost control. The investigation also noted that the pilot's medical certificate (CMA) had expired, as the renewal process was still pending at the time of the accident.
Findings
- Improper flight maneuvers: The pilot performed unsafe, low-altitude passes over the dam, which were inappropriate for the type of operation being conducted.
- Pilot error: The pilot misjudged control inputs, allowing the drag created by the wheels contacting the water to trigger the capsize.
- Flight indiscipline: The occurrence was characterized by a lack of adherence to safe flight principles.
- Inadequate management oversight: The operator's supervision was reactive rather than proactive, failing to monitor operational performance or prevent unsafe flying practices.
- Expired medical certification: The pilot was operating with an expired medical certificate.