What happened
On March 30, 2008, at approximately 10:30 UTC, a Neiva EMB-202, registration PT-ULH, was performing an agricultural application flight at Fazenda Lagoa do Cervo in Diamantino, Mato Grosso. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft's engine experienced a loss of power. In an attempt to recover engine performance, the pilot activated the electric fuel pump. However, during this sequence, the aircraft's right wing struck a nearby cornfield, leading to a collision with the ground. The pilot survived the incident without injuries, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and experienced for the operation, and the aircraft was airworthy, within weight and balance limits, and properly maintained. Meteorological conditions were favorable for flight.
Technical examinations of the engine components, including the mechanical fuel pump, fuel metering unit, and magnetos, showed normal operation on the test bench. While a complete engine failure could not be entirely ruled out due to the extent of the damage, the investigation focused on the pilot's actions regarding the fuel system.
Investigators found that the electric fuel pump was turned off during takeoff, contrary to the aircraft's operating manual, which requires the pump to be active during takeoff, landing, and agricultural operations. The investigation noted a common belief among agricultural pilots that continuous use of the electric pump could lead to component failure, leading the pilot to deviate from standard procedures. It was determined that the need to divert attention downward to activate the pump, combined with the pilot's use of right rudder to counteract engine torque, likely contributed to the aircraft drifting toward the edge of the runway, where the separation between the strip and the cornfield had narrowed.