What happened
On June 7, 2016, at 07:25 local time, an Air Tractor AT-301, registration EC-IOL, was performing agricultural rice planting operations in the municipality of Isla Mayor, Seville. The operation involved using dirt tracks that separate flooded plots as makeshift runways for takeoff and landing.
During the first landing of the day, the pilot approached the landing site on an easterly heading. Upon touchdown, the aircraft's tail swung sharply to the right, causing the plane to veer off the track. The landing gear entered the soft, flooded terrain of the adjacent plot, leading the aircraft to nose-over and eventually capsize. The aircraft ended up in an inverted position with part of the cockpit submerged in water.
Despite the severity of the impact, the pilot was able to open the cockpit window using a red-colored latch before the aircraft fully overturned. After the aircraft settled in its inverted position, the pilot released the harness and exited the aircraft on his own. The pilot sustained one serious injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's experience, and the environmental conditions of the landing site. The Air Tractor AT-301 was found to be in good maintenance condition, with no mechanical failures identified in the landing gear or engine. The investigation also noted that the pilot had inspected the field the previous day to assess its suitability for operations.
Investigators analyzed the specific geometry of the landing area, noting that the dirt track used for the operation narrows significantly toward its end. The investigation also highlighted the pilot's survival actions, noting that the use of a helmet and the cockpit's padded head protection prevented head injuries, and that the timely opening of the window was critical to escaping the submerged cabin.