Incident Overview
On June 20, 2005, at approximately 08:30 local time, an Air Tractor AT-401 with registration EC-JAU was preparing for a commercial agricultural spraying operation near Isla Mayor, Seville. The aircraft, operated by Servicios Agrícolas Aéreos, S.A. (SAASA), was equipped with a single Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 engine. The pilot, a 40-year-old commercial pilot with 1,600 total flight hours and 365 hours on type, initiated the takeoff roll from an unpaved runway measuring approximately 630 meters in length.
Sequence of Events
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft lifted its tail roughly 200 meters before the end of the prepared surface. Believing sufficient runway remained, the pilot continued the maneuver. However, the aircraft failed to gain adequate lift and began to drift right, with the right main gear wheel contacting the edge of the runway. To avoid a parallel water channel, the pilot executed a partial emergency discharge of the cargo load, which allowed the aircraft to rise slightly and clear the obstacle. Subsequently, a full emergency discharge was performed, but the aircraft impacted the ground and dragged across adjacent terrain until it came to a complete stop. The engine and propeller detached from the airframe during the impact.
Investigation Findings
The pilot sustained minor contusions to the shoulders and neck due to seatbelt restraint. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wingtip, main landing gear, tail skid, rear fuselage, and horizontal and vertical stabilizers. Meteorological data indicated calm winds, high humidity, and temperatures around 23.5°C. An inspection of the engine revealed no mechanical failure or significant power loss; minor fouling in filters was noted but deemed insufficient to cause a performance deficit. The investigation highlighted that the aircraft was operating with full flaps (26° deflection), a configuration not recommended for normal takeoff in the flight manual, which likely increased aerodynamic drag and prevented the aircraft from reaching the necessary lift-off speed within the available runway distance.