Piper PA25 accident near Santa Catarina, Br, February 23, 2017
On February 23, 2017 at about 10:30 am local time, a Piper PA25, registered PTWBO, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Santa Catarina. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 23, 2017 · about 10:30 am local time
- Place
- Santa Catarina, Brazil · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA25 235 · all PA25s on the register
- Registration
- PTWBO · no longer on the register · serial 25-5401
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 23, 2017, about 1030 coordinated universal time, an Piper PA-25-235, Brazilian registration PT-WBO, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an aerial application flight near Santa Catarina, Brazil. The foreign certificated pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed an unregistered airstrip near Garavua, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil.This accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center (CENIPA) of Brazil. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center Investigation Division (CENIPA) SHIS - QI 05-VI Comar Brasilia-DF, Brazil 71.615-600 Telephone: (55-61) 3364-8800 Fax: (55-61) 3365-1004 Email: dipaa.spai@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Government of Brazil.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
- Operator: Seragri-Servicos Aero Agricolas Ltda
The flight
- Departed from: Garuva
- Destination: Garuva
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.