What happened
On December 18, 2014, at approximately 21:30 UTC, an Embraer EMB-202, registration PT-UVA, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a rice field at Fazenda Santo Inácio, near São Borja, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft, operated by Cooperativa Agricola Imembuy Ltda., was conducting its final application pass when the pilot attempted to maneuver the aircraft to clear a low-voltage power line spanning the field. During this maneuver, the pilot lost visual contact with the wires, and the flight controls input was insufficient to avoid the obstacle. The aircraft's landing gear struck a power line, causing the aircraft to strike the ground and capsize. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's actions and the operational environment. The pilot, who was highly experienced with 3,400 total flight hours, attempted to "jump" the power line by pitching the aircraft up. However, the loss of visual reference to the wires led to an inadequate control response. Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, noting that while the airframe, engine, and propeller logs were up to date, there was a gap in flight hour records between May and August 2014, during which the engine had undergone a major overhaul.
Findings
- Inadequate application of flight controls during the obstacle avoidance maneuver.
- Errors in pilot judgment regarding the clearance of the power lines.
- Lack of management supervision to effectively control operational performance and risk management, particularly concerning the presence of electrical networks in the work area.