What happened
On January 10, 1998, a PA-36-300 was performing agricultural spraying operations over a 20-hectare area near Fazenda Modelo, in Centenário do Sul, Paraná. The pilot was conducting passes parallel to a low-voltage power line that served as a visual reference. During one of the final passes, the aircraft crossed to the other side of the primary line, where it encountered a second set of wires running perpendicular to the first.
The aircraft struck these electrical wires, causing the pilot to lose control. The aircraft entered an inverted position and crashed into a nearby lagoon, where it became partially submerged. The pilot sustained fatal injuries at the scene, and the aircraft suffered extensive damage to its control surfaces, fuel, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage, engine instruments, and witness testimony from a ground signaling crew member. The investigation established that the engine was at high power and the aircraft was in a steep pitch-up attitude just before the impact with the water, suggesting the pilot attempted to climb to clear the wires. No engine or mechanical failures were identified.
The investigation also revealed that the electrical wires were part of a span of 545 meters, which lacked any required aviation warning markers or spherical markers as mandated by Brazilian regulations. Furthermore, the investigation found that the aircraft, registered as PT-OXP, was being operated under the Special Air Service (SAE) category despite being registered only for Private (TPP) operations.
Findings
- Lack of obstacle marking: The power lines were part of a 545-meter span without any visible signaling, making them impossible to identify from the cockpit during flight.
- Inadequate planning: The pilot did not perform a reconnaissance flight of the specific area on the day of the accident, nor did they conduct a briefing with the ground crew.
- Excessive confidence: Having flown adjacent areas in previous days, the pilot's familiarity with the region led to a lack of proper hazard assessment.
- Operational deficiencies: The operator lacked sufficient supervision, authorizing unscheduled work without providing updated obstacle information.
- Regulatory non-compliance: The electrical utility's lines did not meet the required standards for obstacle marking at wire crossings.