What happened
On December 13, 2013, at approximately 12:00 UTC, an Embraer EMB-202, registration PT-UIP, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Primavera do Leste, Mato Grosso. The aircraft had departed from a private airstrip at Fazenda Nova Esperança to apply liquid fertilizer to a soybean plantation.
After completing the first application pass, the pilot attempted a "balloon" repositioning maneuver. During the sequence, which involved a right-hand turn followed by a left-hand climbing turn, the aircraft's left wing struck high-voltage power lines. Following the collision with the electrical grid, the aircraft impacted the ground. The impact with the earth was partially cushioned by the tension of the power lines themselves.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight path using data retrieved from the aircraft's Global Positioning System (GPS). The analysis of the GPS tracks from previous flight legs on the same day revealed a subtle "flattening" of the repositioning curves, indicating that the aircraft's trajectory was being pushed in the direction of the wind.
Meteorological data from the Cuiabá International Airport, located 125 nautical miles from the site, confirmed winds of approximately 16 knots at the time of the accident. Local measurements taken immediately after the event recorded winds of up to 18 knots. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's weight was near its maximum takeoff weight, totaling approximately 1,721 kg out of a maximum of 1,800 kg, following the loading of 100 liters of ethanol and 500 liters of spray mixture.
Findings
- Adverse meteorological conditions, specifically wind influence that drifted the aircraft toward the power lines during the maneuver.
- Pilot judgment, regarding the decision to plan application passes in close proximity to the electrical infrastructure.
- The pilot sustained only a minor injury to the left arm.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage.