What happened
On May 13, 2002, at approximately 11:00 local time, a PIPER PA-3Y-375, registration EC-EEX, was performing agricultural seed-spreading operations near Puebla del Río, Sevilla. During the second flight of the morning, the aircraft began its takeoff roll on the Pista de las Brujas. As the aircraft reached the end of the runway, it lifted off at a low airspeed. Immediately following rotation, the aircraft experienced a loss of lift, causing it to stall and descend into a nearby rice field located at the end of the runway.
The pilot, realizing a collision with the ground was unavoidable, shut down the engine prior to impact. The aircraft sustained important damage to the propeller, landing gear, right wing, fuselage, and engine mount. The pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was carrying 500 kilograms of rice seed and 45 liters of fuel in each wing. Meteorological conditions were reported as calm winds, a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, visibility exceeding 10 kilometers, and clear skies.
An analysis of the aircraft's weight and balance was conducted using the procedures outlined in the flight manual. The investigation determined that the aircraft was operating within appropriate weight and center of gravity limits, with the calculated values positioned well within the authorized envelope.
Findings
- The aircraft held a valid certificate of airworthiness.
- The pilot held a valid commercial pilot license and was properly trained for the operation.
- There were no indications of mechanical failure in any aircraft components.
- The primary cause of the accident was that the takeoff was performed at a speed near the aircraft's stall speed, leading to a loss of lift as soon as a minimal increase in the effective angle of attack occurred.