What happened
On January 3, 2002, an EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UKC, operated by Nadiana Aviação Agrícola, departed from Porto dos Gaúchos, Mato Grosso, to perform agricultural spraying at Fazenda Cometa. The flight was approximately 26 NM from the departure point. Upon approaching the destination, the pilot encountered heavy cumulonimbus clouds, strong downdrafts, and significant atmospheric instability.
Unable to return to the departure airfield due to worsening weather, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing on an unregistered dirt strip at Fazenda Cometa. The aircraft was carrying a 500-liter load of agricultural chemicals. The landing was executed without the use of flaps and at a high speed, estimated at approximately 80 knots. The pilot touched down on the second third of the runway, which was wet and irregular. Due to the high speed and the weight of the chemical load, the aircraft could not stop within the runway limits. The aircraft overran the strip, struck a ditch with the main landing gear, and overturned. The pilot sustained severe injuries to the cervical spine, and the aircraft suffered severe damage to the engine, cabin, and rudder.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process and the operational environment. Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration, finding that the engine throttles were advanced and the flaps were retracted. The investigation also looked into the pilot's workload, noting that the operator's structure—consisting of only one pilot and one aircraft—placed significant pressure on the crew during the harvest season. The investigation also evaluated the runway conditions and the impact of the aircraft's weight on the landing roll.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to return to the original airfield was delayed, which compromised the ability to find a safer landing site earlier.
- The pilot chose not to jettison the 500-liter chemical load, mistakenly believing the extra weight would help stabilize the aircraft against wind, whereas the weight actually increased the landing roll distance.
- The landing was performed in a non-standard configuration, characterized by excessive approach speed and the failure to use flaps.
- Severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, low visibility, and turbulence, forced the unplanned landing.
- The pilot was subject to high levels of occupational stress and potential fatigue due to intense working hours during the agricultural season.
- The operator lacked formal training, evaluation, and supervision programs for its pilots.