What happened
On February 8, 2012, an EMB-202A aircraft, registration PT-UZW, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a soybean field in Bela Vista do Paraíso, Paraná. The aircraft had departed from Aeródromo 14 Bis in Londrina for the mission. During the third pass over the crop, the aircraft struck a low-voltage electrical wire suspended approximately 7 meters above the ground. Following the impact, the pilot lost control, and the aircraft struck the ground near adjacent vegetation. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft and resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation examined the aircraft, the engine, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation found that the Lycoming IO-540 engine and the aircraft's maintenance records were in good order, with no mechanical failures identified as a cause for the collision.
Investigators noted that the accident occurred late in the afternoon, with the sun positioned near the horizon and directly in the pilot's line of sight (the aircraft's heading). Additionally, the presence of beekeepers working near the field was noted, which may have served as a distraction. The investigation also highlighted that while the pilot was wearing a seatbelt, they were not wearing a flight helmet or the specialized flight suit required for agricultural operations under the regulations in effect at the time. Furthermore, there was no evidence of a pre-flight briefing regarding specific obstacles in the work area.
Findings
- Environmental factors: The low angle of the sun and the glare likely hindered the timely identification of the power line.
- Distraction: The presence of individuals (beekeypers) in the vicinity of the spraying area may have diverted the pilot's attention from monitoring obstacles.
- Situational awareness: A lack of a formal pre-flight briefing regarding ground obstacles contributed to reduced awareness of the electrical wire's location.
- Visual perception: Although the pilot's medical certificate was valid, records indicated a recommendation for corrective lenses, which may have impacted visual acuity during the mission.
- Safety equipment: The pilot was not utilizing required personal protective equipment, such as a flight helmet, which could have mitigated the severity of the injuries.