Incident Overview
On Friday, March 30, 2001, at approximately 16:00 local time, a Piper PA-36-285 aircraft registered as EC-ERI crashed shortly after takeoff from the temporary airfield known as El Judío in Córdoba. The single-engine aircraft was operated by Trabajos Aéreos Espejo, S.L., for commercial aerial work, specifically agricultural spraying. It was the final flight of the day.
Flight Sequence and Impact
The pilot initiated a right turn after liftoff. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a loss of altitude. In an attempt to recover height, the pilot executed an emergency dump of the spray load. This action caused the nose to pitch up sharply, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently descended and impacted the ground, striking with the right wing first, followed by the underside of the fuselage.
Aircraft Condition and Weight Analysis
The aircraft was a 1973 model that had been remotorized with a Lycoming IO-720-D1CD engine producing 375 HP, exceeding the original 285 HP specification. Despite this upgrade, the approved maximum takeoff weight remained at 1,995 kg in the documentation, although the actual capability was higher. The investigation determined that the aircraft was carrying approximately 800 to 900 liters of fumigant, causing it to exceed its approved maximum takeoff weight by roughly 75 kg (165 lbs). This excess weight likely contributed to poor climb performance.
Contributing Factors and Outcome
Wind conditions were from the west, creating a crosswind during takeoff and a tailwind after the right turn. The combination of excessive weight and the tailwind reduced the aircraft's ability to maintain altitude. The pilot was uninjured in the crash. Significant damage was sustained by the wings, propeller, engine cowling, and landing gear.