Wings Fold On Ag Plane

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Brazilian Embraer EMB-202A Ipanema agricultural aircraft crashed after a practice or demonstration drop.
  • The aircraft released its liquid load from its belly instead of using its wing-mounted spray nozzles.
  • Mid-drop, the plane pitched up, causing the wings to fold.
  • The pilot sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries; an investigation is underway.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3JmRViHQno

What appears to be a practice or demonstration drop by a Brazilian Embraer EMB-202A Ipanema ended with the wings folding and the pilot surviving with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. The Ipanema is an aerial application plane but this aircraft appears to dump its load rather than spray it.

In the crash sequence, the airplane flies the centerline of a rough air strip and starts jettisoning a load of liquid from the belly rather than the application nozzles on the wings. About halfway through the drop, the aircraft pitches up and the wings fold. Authorities are undoubtedly investigating.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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