What happened
On May 24, 2011, at approximately 10:45 UTC, a Neiva EMB-201A aircraft, registration PT-GTZ, was performing agricultural spraying operations at the Dom Fabrício farm in Angélica, Mato Grosso. The aircraft, operated by Teruel Aviação Agrícola Ltda., had already completed an initial spray run and was executing its second pass. During the final segment of this second pass, approximately 200 meters into the maneuver, the aircraft struck low-voltage power lines. The impact caused the pilot to lose control, leading to a subsequent impact with the ground roughly 50 meters from the power lines. The pilot survived the accident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully qualified, holding valid commercial licenses and agricultural ratings. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was also valid, and meteorological conditions were favorable for flight. The investigation noted that the pilot had performed a reconnaissance flight and a complete spray pass earlier, making him aware of various obstacles in the area, including trees and power lines. However, investigators identified that the sun had risen shortly before the accident (09:44 UTC), and the aircraft's heading of approximately 117 degrees may have caused glare, potentially obscuring the wires. Furthermore, the investigation found no evidence of detailed operational planning for this specific area.
Findings
- Glare and visibility: The position of the sun relative to the flight path may have caused pilot glare, hindering the detection of the low-voltage lines.
- Perception: The pilot's attention may have been focused on larger, more visible obstacles like trees, leading to a failure to perceive the thinner power lines.
- Operational planning: There was a lack of detailed flight planning for the specific application area.