What happened
On January 14, 1992, an EMB 200 Ipanema, registration PT-GDM, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a soybean plantation in Cascavel, Paraná. During the completion of the first spray pass, the pilot attempted to recover the aircraft from a low-altitude maneuver. During this pull-up, the aircraft struck the top of a pine tree, approximately 17 meters in height, at a 45-degree angle.
The impact severed the top of the tree and caused the aircraft to lose control. Following the initial collision, the aircraft struck the ground in a nearly inverted position. The impact was severe enough to cause the engine and propeller to detach, and the aircraft slid approximately 10 meters before capsizing over its wings. The pilot sustained fatal injuries due to multiple blunt force trauma.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's qualifications, and the operational circumstances of the flight. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in good airworthiness condition, with all periodic inspections up to date. The pilot was highly experienced, with 2,700 flight hours in this specific aircraft type, and held valid commercial and agricultural licenses.
Investigators also analyzed the physical evidence of the impact. Notably, the investigation looked into the failure of the pilot's safety harness suspenders, which ruptured during the impact. While the rupture caused the pilot to be thrown forward against the instrument panel, the autopsy determined that the cause of death was polytrauma from the crash itself.
Findings
- Deficient judgment: The pilot incorrectly assessed the timing of the recovery maneuver at the end of the low-altitude pass, leaving insufficient clearance to clear the obstacle.
- Deficient planning: The pilot failed to perform a reconnaissance flight of the area prior to beginning the spraying mission, which would have identified the specific location of the trees.
- Failure to use emergency procedures: The pilot did not jettison the chemical load, an action that could have reduced the aircraft's weight and provided the necessary performance to clear the obstacle.
- Operational risk awareness: The pilot was aware that the specific sector was hazardous due to existing obstacles, which typically necessitated the use of tractors rather than aircraft.