What happened
On January 30, 2009, an A-188B agricultural aircraft, registration PR-TRA, was performing low-altitude spraying operations near Cambará, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft had departed from the Cruz Alta Aerodrome earlier that day and was conducting its sixth spraying pass over the same field.
During a reversal maneuver, the right wingtip of the aircraft struck electrical transmission wires. The collision caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, which subsequently impacted the ground. The impact and subsequent contact with hot engine components caused the aircraft to catch fire, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the pilot's performance and the operational environment. Investigators established that the aircraft was airworthy, with all maintenance records and inspections up to date. The weather conditions were favorable for visual flight rules (VFR) operations, and the pilot was highly experienced, with approximately 1,800 hours in this specific model.
Evidence indicated that the pilot was aware of the power lines, as he had successfully navigated around them during previous passes that same day. However, the investigation noted that the pilot was managing significant administrative responsibilities for the company in addition to his flying duties. Furthermore, investigators looked into the pilot's psychological state, noting a significant interpersonal conflict that had occurred the previous night, which had left the pilot in a state of high anxiety and sleep deprivation.
Findings
- The pilot's emotional state, characterized by high levels of anxiety and irritability following a personal dispute, likely compromised his situational awareness and cognitive functions.
- A breakdown in attention or memory may have occurred, potentially leading to a momentary failure to recognize the proximity of the wires or a distraction caused by managing DGPS programming and cockpit indicators.
- Organizational processes lacked the systematization required to monitor personnel performance or identify the operational risk posed by the pilot's emotional distress.
- The pilot's heavy workload, involving both flight operations and company management, contributed to a complex operational environment.