What happened
On September 17, 2011, at approximately 19:45 UTC, a Neiva EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UZN, was engaged in an agricultural operation in the municipality of Pompeu, Minas Gerais. The aircraft had departed from a landing strip located at Fazenda Rio Velho to perform fungicide application over a field at Fazenda Alterosa.
While the aircraft was in the cruise phase of the flight, it encountered a powerful downdraft. This meteorological phenomenon caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly, leading to a collision with vegetation and a subsequent impact with the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot emerged from the accident uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators verified that the pilot held valid commercial licenses, including single-engine land and agricultural aircraft ratings, and possessed the necessary experience for the mission. The pilot's medical certificate was also current at the time of the occurrence.
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, with all maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller up to date. Furthermore, the aircraft was operating within its prescribed weight and balance limits. The pilot reported that the engine was functioning perfectly prior to the encounter with the atmospheric disturbance and noted that while meteorological conditions were generally suitable for flight, turbulent air and downdrafts were present.