What happened
On November 24, 1997, an EMB 201 Ipanema, registration PT-GRP, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Porto Ferreira, São Paulo. The aircraft had departed from Pirassununga to reach the Fazenda Santa Maria for crop dusting.
After arriving at the site, the pilot performed an aerial reconnaissance of the plantation. Following the initial spray pass, the pilot attempted a reversing turn (a maneuver known as a "balão") to realign for the next pass. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck high-voltage power lines located at an altitude of approximately 50 meters. The impact caused the pilot to lose control, leading to a subsequent collision with the ground. The aircraft sustained severe damage to its airframe, engine, propeller, and flight controls, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational environment and the pilot's decision-making process. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which were found to be up to date, and the pilot's credentials, which were valid and demonstrated significant experience.
The investigation established that the high-voltage wires lacked the required visual markers, such as orange spheres, which are mandated by technical standards (NBR 6SB 6535) to increase visibility. Furthermore, while the pilot had performed an aerial survey of the plantation itself, the investigation found that the surrounding area and adjacent obstacles had not been adequately assessed through ground reconnaissance or detailed planning.