What happened
On December 31, 2013, an Embraer EMB-202A Neiva, registration PT-UVK, was performing an agricultural decontamination flight near Nova Ponte, Minas Gerais. The aircraft had departed from an unregistered airstrip at Fazenda Paraíso to flush the spraying system with water following a fertilizer application. The intended flight path was to proceed to the Sacramento Aerodrome (SNSC) after the tanks were cleaned.
Approximately five minutes into the flight, the pilot executed a 180-degree left turn to align with a heading of 180 degrees. During this maneuver, the pilot momentarily diverted their gaze to the left wing to monitor the clarity of the water exiting the spraying system. Upon returning their attention to the forward path, the pilot realized the aircraft was on a collision course with power lines that had been previously identified during earlier spraying operations. The left wing struck the electrical wires, causing the aircraft to roll and impact the terrain on its back.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators established that the pilot was fully qualified with valid medical and technical certificates and possessed sufficient experience for the aircraft type. The aircraft was also in a condition of airworthiness, with valid registration and maintenance logs, and was operating within weight and balance limits. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for flight.
Findings
- Flight planning
- Pilot judgment