What happened
On November 27, 2011, an Embraer EMB-201A Neiva, registration PT-UCU, was performing agricultural spraying operations at Fazenda São João in Água Clara, Mato Grosso. The aircraft was engaged in a local mission to apply agricultural inputs over a pasture area. During the final spray pass of the day, the aircraft struck a tree, which caused it to be projected into the ground.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained serious injuries. The aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight path using DGPS data, which revealed that the pilot had modified the standard flight profile during the final pass. To manage the remaining amount of agricultural product, the pilot attempted to smooth the repositioning turn (often called a "balloon" turn) to better align a new spray strip.
The investigation established that two primary environmental factors compromised the pilot's ability to maintain situational awareness. First, the pilot reported that the spray residue had adhered to the windshield, likely due to low relative humidity or the short interval between passes, which obscured the forward view. Second, during the maneuver to align the aircraft, the sun moved directly into the pilot's line of sight, causing momentary glare. This combination of obscured vision and sun glare prevented the pilot from detecting the tree located at the beginning of the spray strip.
Findings
- Pilot judgment regarding the decision to alter the flight profile and the management of the spray pattern.
- Flight planning deficiencies, specifically regarding the management of visibility and the timing of repositioning maneuvers.
- The presence of pesticide residue on the windshield, which hindered frontal visibility.
- Temporary loss of visual perception caused by sun glare during the repositioning turn.