What happened
On December 21, 1996, an EMB 201-A Ipanema, registration PT-GZO, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a rice field in Curral Grande, near Santa Vitória do Palmar, RS. During a low-altitude pass, the aircraft approached a 10-meter-tall tree too closely. As the pilot attempted to climb to clear the obstacle, the left wing and elevator struck the tree.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control and enter a longitudinal roll. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground at a steep angle, nearly inverted, and came to rest in an irrigation canal. The single fatality was the pilot, who died at the scene due to severe cranial injuries caused by the impact.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's experience, and the operational conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was found to be in good mechanical condition, having undergone a 100-hour inspection shortly before the flight. The pilot was highly experienced, with approximately 8,000 flight hours and a valid commercial agricultural pilot license.
The investigation also reviewed the meteorological conditions, noting a 10-knot wind from the North/Northwest. While the aircraft was within its weight and center of gravity limits, investigators noted that certain required documentation was missing from the cockpit. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the pilot's psychological state, noting significant personal and financial stressors during the harvest season.
Findings
- Improper obstacle clearance: The pilot failed to establish a sufficient safety margin around the tree, initiating the climb too late.
- Inadequate wind assessment: The pilot did not correctly account for the tailwind component during the NW/SE pass, which affected the judgment of the required climb distance.
- Psychological factors: Personal problems and financial anxiety related to the harvest season contributed to a loss of focus, potentially delaying the decision to maneuver.
- Operational planning: The flight planning did not sufficiently address the influence of wind on the performance required to clear obstacles.