Air Tractor AT-401 EC-JIF accident at Finca La Moncloa

Accident Overview and Location On Wednesday, 13 August 2008, at 08:45 local time, an Air Tractor AT-401 with registration EC-JIF, operated by SAETA, was involved in an accident at Finca La Moncloa in Valdecaballeros, Badajoz. The aircraft was conducting a commercial agricultural operation, specifically spraying for pest prevention in olive groves. The accident occurred during the takeoff run from a temporary grass runway. ## Aircraft and Flight Details The aircraft was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 engine. The pilot in command was a 31-year-old commercial pilot with 1,560:45 total flight hours and 82:05 hours on type. The aircraft was loaded with 900 kg of product and 350 liters of fuel. The temporary runway was 600 meters long, oriented northwest (12/30), and had a slight ascending slope in the northwest direction. The pilot elected to use runway 30 for the takeoff. ## Sequence of Events The takeoff roll and rotation were reported to have been normal. However, when the aircraft was approximately 1.5 meters above the ground, it began to roll to the left. The pilot was unable to counteract the roll and released the spray load, which caused the roll to become more pronounced. The aircraft continued flying in this attitude, grazing a perpendicular road with its left wingtip. It then struck a wire fence on the opposite side of the road and overflew a first row of pines. Finally, the left wing impacted a pine tree in a second row, severing the trunk. The aircraft rotated due to the impact and came to rest perpendicular to the takeoff runway. ## Damage and Injuries The pilot was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft under his own power. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the landing gear, fuselage, propeller, and engine. The accident also caused damage to the perimeter fence and several pine trees. ## Investigation and Analysis The investigation determined that the aircraft was prepared for takeoff at a weight of 7,169 lb, which was below the maximum demonstrated weight of 7,860 lb for the restricted category. The pilot correctly configured the aircraft for a short takeoff with a full hopper, selecting 10 degrees of flap as per the flight manual. The analysis suggests that the pilot likely attempted to gain altitude by pulling back on the control stick near the end of the runway, which may have caused the left wing to enter a stall and result in the uncommanded roll. The emergency release of the load further exacerbated the situation, as such a release tends to cause the aircraft to pitch up, increasing the angle of attack and worsening the stall if not properly compensated.