What happened
On September 30, 2010, at approximately 09:00 local time, a PZL M18A Dromader, registration EC-FDM, was performing agricultural spraying operations over an olive grove near Jamilena, Jaén. The aircraft, operated by Trabajos Aéreos Marismeños, S.A. (TAMSA), was flying at a low altitude of approximately 8 to 10 meters with 5° of flaps and a load of 200 liters of product and 350 liters of fuel.
During the flight, the pilot identified an electrical power line directly in the flight path. In an attempt to clear the obstacle, the pilot increased power and propeller pitch, pulled back on the control column to climb, and extended the flaps to 10°. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall. As the aircraft lost altitude and the pilot observed the wings approaching the treetops, the pilot shut down the engine and prepared for an emergency landing. The aircraft impacted the ground and slid approximately 30 meters through olive trees, causing significant damage to the wings and landing gear. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the pilot's flight history, the aircraft's maintenance status, and the operator's safety procedures. The investigation noted that the pilot was experienced, with over 2,800 total flight hours and 12 years of experience in agricultural spraying. The aircraft was found to be in a valid state of airworthiness with no reported engine malfunctions.
Investigators reviewed the operator's manual, which requires pilots to perform both ground and aerial inspections to identify obstacles such as power lines and poles before commencing spraying operations. The investigation also noted that the pilot had been involved in a similar accident in 2001 involving an aircraft of the same type, where an unidentified power line led to a stall during an avoidance maneuver.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the aircraft entering a stall while attempting to gain altitude in a limited space to fly over the electrical lines.
- A contributing factor was the lack of a thorough pre-flight inspection and area study, as required by company procedures, which resulted in the pilot being unaware of the power lines' presence until they were encountered in flight.
- The low flight altitude left insufficient margin for the pilot to recover from the stall once it occurred.
- Meteorological conditions were suitable for visual flight.
Safety action
- REC 02/11: The operator, Trabajos Aéreos Marismeños, S.A. (TAMSA), is recommended to review its recurrent pilot training programs to include specific instruction on flight preparation for detecting power lines in work areas and procedures for performing avoidance maneuvers upon detecting electrical lines during flight.