What happened
On September 14, 1996, at approximately 07:28 AM, an EMB-202 Ipanema, registration PT-UJZ, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Miguel Alves, Piauí. While flying in a straight and level path, the aircraft's right wing struck low-voltage power lines. The impact caused the aircraft to roll and plummet to the ground, landing on its back and sliding approximately 40 meters across irregular, waterlogged terrain. The impact resulted in one fatality (the pilot) and extensive damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the operational and human factors surrounding the collision. The pilot was a highly experienced commercial pilot with 1,200 total flight hours, including 600 hours in this specific aircraft type. All required licenses, medical certificates, and aircraft maintenance records were found to be valid and up to date.
Investigators examined the environmental conditions, noting that while visibility was good for visual flight, the position of the sun relative to the aircraft's heading may have caused glare. The investigation also looked into the pilot's flight planning, finding that despite being familiar with the region, no ground reconnaissance of the area's obstacles had been conducted prior to the mission. Furthermore, psychological assessments suggested the pilot possessed an audacious temperament and a high degree of self-confidence.
Findings
- Inadequate planning: The pilot failed to perform a ground reconnaissance of the application area to identify potential obstacles.
- Human factors: The pilot's personality traits, characterized by excessive self-confidence and audacity, may have contributed to inattention or a failure in spatial perception.
- Environmental influence: The position of the sun may have caused glare, reducing the visibility of the power lines.
- Previous history: The pilot had been involved in a previous similar occurrence involving a collision with electrical wires.