What happened
On August 15, 2017, at approximately 07:46 local time, a Piper PA-36-375, registration EC-EHB, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a rice field in the municipality of Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz. The aircraft had departed from a temporary landing strip in Barbate to conduct fumigation work.
While flying west toward a signal person, a stork struck the right side of the aircraft's fuselage, penetrating the cockpit through the windshield. Following the impact, the aircraft pitched 180 degrees, entered an inverted flight attitude, and crashed into the field with its landing gear facing upward. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation established that the aircraft was airworthy and the pilot held valid commercial licenses and medical certificates. The weather conditions at the time were favorable for VFR operations, with low winds and good visibility.
Investigators noted that the accident site was located within a known high-concentration area for storks, as documented in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). During the field inspection, a large number of storks were observed on the ground near the wreckage. The investigation also reviewed the operator's risk assessment, which had previously categorized the probability of bird strikes in this area as extremely improbable following the implementation of mitigation measures, such as low-altitude reconnaissance passes to disperse birds.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control of the aircraft following the impact with a stork.
- The aircraft sustained significant structural damage to the fuselage, wings, stabilizers, engine, and propeller.
- The operation was being conducted in a known bird concentration zone.
- The pilot had performed a reconnaissance pass at a safe altitude to disperse birds prior to starting the fumigation, in accordance with the operator's manual.