What happened
On November 15, 2008, at approximately 12:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-202, registration PT-URN, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft, operated by TAIM Aeroagrícola Ltda, had departed from a landing strip at Fazenda Sedrez to apply potassium chloride to a rice field.
Shortly after takeoff, while the pilot was executing a left-hand turn, the aircraft lost lift and the left landing gear made contact with the ground. In an attempt to reduce the aircraft'-s weight, the pilot partially jettisoned the agricultural load. However, due to the granular nature of the potassium chloride, the discharge was too slow to prevent a loss of altitude. The aircraft subsequently struck a ditch with the right landing gear and came to a stop approximately twenty meters ahead. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA V established that the pilot was highly experienced, with over 6,000 total flight hours and 3,800 hours in the specific aircraft model. The aircraft's maintenance records and airworthiness certificates were up to date, and no mechanical or maintenance failures were identified as contributing to the accident.
Investigators determined that the ambient temperature at the time of departure was approximately 30°C. A review of the aircraft's weight and balance records revealed that the takeoff weight was approximately 1,873 kg, which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight of 1,800 kg specified in the flight manual. The investigation found that the pilot had failed to consult the performance charts and did not perform the necessary weight and balance calculations for the high-temperature conditions.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with an excess weight of approximately 73 kg at the time of takeoff.
- The pilot failed to perform adequate weight and balance calculations.
- The pilot failed to consult the aircraft's performance/density altitude charts.
- A failure in pilot judgment occurred when initiating a turn while overloaded, which increased the stall speed and caused the aircraft to exit its safe flight envelope.
- The slow discharge rate of the granular agricultural product prevented effective weight reduction during the emergency.