Introduction
On 15 August 2017, a Piper PA-36-375 aircraft, registration EC-EHB, operated by Martínez Ridao Aviación, crashed in the municipality of Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain. The aircraft was owned by Servicios Aéreos Europeos y Tratamientos Agrícolas, S. L. (SAETA).
Flight History
The flight was an aerial work mission for agricultural fumigation. The pilot departed from a temporary airstrip in Barbate, Cádiz, at approximately 7:40 local time. The intended work area was a rice field near the Los Derramaderos estate in Vejer de la Frontera. Prior to beginning the fumigation, the pilot overflew the area at a safe altitude to scare away birds, as recommended by the operator's operations manual. After a brief observation pass, the pilot commenced the fumigation run.
Accident Sequence
At approximately 7:46 local time, while the aircraft was flying westward over the rice field towards the flagman, the flagman observed a stork impact the right side of the fuselage. Following the impact, the aircraft pitched 180 degrees and fell inverted with the nose oriented eastward. The aircraft sustained significant damage.
Injuries
The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-36-375, a single-engine agricultural aircraft. The registration was EC-EHB. The aircraft was owned by SAETA and operated by Martínez Ridao Aviación on the day of the accident.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the cause of the accident was loss of control of the aircraft after impact with a stork.