What happened
On May 27, 2007, at approximately 15:45 local time, a Cessna T-188-C, registration EC-ECE, was performing the first of several scheduled agricultural spraying flights from an improvised airstrip near Isla Mayor, Seville. The aircraft, operated by Trabajos Aéreos de Córdoba, S. L., was configured with 50 and approximately 500 liters of liquid insecticide.
During the initial stages of the takeoff roll, the aircraft traveled approximately 150 meters before suddenly veering 90 degrees to the right. The aircraft exited the runway and entered an adjacent irrigation canal. The movement was abruptly halted when the aircraft struck tall reeds (carrizo) on the near bank and subsequently collided with the opposite wall of the canal. Following the impact, smoke was observed, and the pilot successfully evacuated the aircraft before it was consumed by fire. The fire caused substantial damage to the airframe, including the destruction of the fuselage and cockpit, damage to the engine and propeller, and the failure of the right main landing gear leg.
The investigation
The investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the aircraft's configuration, and the runway environment. Investigators noted that while the weather was generally suitable for the intended flight, the wind was gusty from the right. The aircraft was operating within its weight and balance limits, carrying a partial load of fuel and insecticide. The investigation also assessed the physical characteristics of the runway, which consisted of a compacted earth and stone section followed by a grass section, and the presence of vegetation along the margins.
Findings
- The aircraft was subject to a crosswind component from the right, with gusts reaching approximately 15 knots.
- The aircraft was in a critical phase of takeoff, specifically the interval between the tail lifting off the ground and achieving sufficient airspeed for effective lateral control.
- The presence of high grass and reeds on the right margin of the runway likely contributed to the deviation once the aircraft moved toward the edge.
- The loss of lateral control was caused by the action of the crosswind on the aircraft's vertical stabilizer during the takeoff roll.
- The impact with the canal wall likely caused fuel to spill onto hot engine components, triggering the post-crash fire.