What happened
On January 25, 2018, an Air Tractor AT-502B, registration PR-MLP, was conducting a local training flight departing from the Juara Sul Aerodrome (SIZX) in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The flight, intended to last approximately one hour, included a landing at an agricultural landing strip located at Fazenda Piquiri.
During the landing sequence, the pilot performed the approach at the prescribed speeds and altitudes. However, upon touchdown, the aircraft began to skid. Despite the pilot's attempts to maintain the runway centerline using rudder inputs, the aircraft drifted to the right. The aircraft subsequently exited the runway and collided with a nearby sugarcane plantation, coming to a stop at a 9/0-degree angle to the intended landing axis. The pilot was uninjured, and the aircraft sustained light damage.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot held valid medical and pilot certifications and possessed relevant experience for the flight type. The aircraft was also found to be in a compliant state, with a valid airworthiness certificate, updated maintenance logs, and proper weight and balance.
Meteorological conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 kilometers and calm winds. However, investigators noted that the grass surface of the agricultural landing strip was wet at the time of the occurrence. Furthermore, the investigation identified that the landing took place in an area specifically designated for agricultural operations. Under Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation (RBAC) 137, such areas are restricted to exclusive agricultural use during defined periods, and the investigation found no regulatory authorization for using the strip for a training flight.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a skid upon touchdown due to the wet condition of the grass surface.
- The pilot was unable to maintain the runway centerline despite corrective rudder inputs.
- The landing was performed at an agricultural strip not authorized for non-agricultural training operations.