What happened
On December 8, 1994, an EMB-201 A, registration PT-GQB, was performing its first takeoff of the day for an agricultural spraying mission at Fazenda Santa Maria in Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul. The aircraft was operating at its maximum takeoff weight, fully loaded with both fuel and chemical spray products.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot positioned the aircraft 100 meters ahead of the ideal starting point, effectively reducing the available runway from 650 meters to 550 meters. As the aircraft accelerated, it failed to reach the necessary rotation speed before reaching the end of the runway. The landing gear collided with a fence located at the end of the runway, and the aircraft subsequently struck a drainage ditch. The impact caused the aircraft to capsize, resulting in severe damage to the engine, propeller, landing gear, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and flight controls. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and passed away at a hospital.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational decisions and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the runway surface, noting that while the private airstrip was flat and regular, the grass was high, which increased friction and hindered acceleration. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight history and the organizational oversight provided by the operator, Granal Aviação Agrícola LTDA.
Technical analysis revealed that the pilot had significant experience but demonstrated a pattern of exceeding operational limits. Furthermore, the investigation found that the aircraft was equipped with a non-homologated automotive seat belt, which may have contributed to the severity of the pilot's injuries during the impact.