Event Overview
On Saturday, 5 June 2021, at approximately 07:20 local time, a Piper PA-36-285 (registration EC-HUE, serial number 36-7360055) was involved in an accident while returning from a crop-dusting mission over a rice field in the municipality of Isla Mayor, Seville. The aircraft had completed its spraying work and was heading back to the temporary airstrip from which it had departed. During the return flight, the aircraft struck an electrical cable, causing the tail empennage to become entangled. The vertical stabilizer and rudder detached from the aircraft. The pilot executed an emergency landing on a nearby rural road.
Injuries and Damage
The sole occupant, the pilot, sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the aircraft unaided. The aircraft suffered substantial damage: the vertical stabilizer was torn from its attachment, the rudder was separated, and the cable cutter device was damaged. Additionally, the main landing gear, lower fairings, engine cowlings, propeller blades, and both wings were damaged.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had begun the day early to avoid the heat, having taken the required rest before the flight. After inspecting the target plot with company mechanics and clients, the pilot departed for the rice field. The spraying proceeded from the eastern edge to the western edge of the parcel. The pilot noted that numerous insects struck the windshield, reducing visibility. Upon completing the treatment, the pilot turned south to return to the airstrip. While en route, the pilot perceived an electrical line at close range—mistakenly recalled as being in a different location—and attempted to avoid it by passing underneath. This maneuver failed, and the aircraft collided with the cable. The cable engaged the tail, tearing off the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The aircraft continued flying for a few seconds before the pilot performed an emergency landing on a dirt road.
Operational Context
The operation was classified as commercial aerial work (agricultural). The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR). The aircraft was owned and operated by Martínez Ridao Aviación S.L.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the pilot's failure to adhere to the company's operational procedures, specifically by flying at an altitude inadequate for the terrain and obstacles present during the return flight.