Piper PA-36-375 Bravo Accident at Isla Mayor (EC-EBQ)

Incident Overview and Location On July 16, 2005, at approximately 11:30 local time, a Piper PA-36-375 Bravo, registration EC-EBQ, was involved in an accident during the final stage of a takeoff roll. The incident occurred at a temporary airstrip located in Isla Mayor, in the province of Sevilla, Spain. The aircraft was operated by Trabajos Aéreos Marismeños, S. A. (TAMSA) and was engaged in agricultural spraying operations. ## Aircraft and Operational Details The aircraft was a single-engine, tricycle-gear model equipped with a Lycoming IO-720-D1CD engine. It was configured for VFR agricultural work, with a hopper capacity of 1,076 liters situated in the nose. The pilot, a 28-year-old Italian national, held a commercial pilot license and was qualified for agroforestry work in Spanish aircraft. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was loaded with 750 kg of solid, granulated fumigant. ## Sequence of Events The pilot initiated the takeoff from a compacted dirt and stone runway, which was approximately 650 meters long and 40 meters wide. During the roll, the pilot felt a lack of resistance on the control column and determined that the rotation speed had not been reached. Consequently, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff and steer the aircraft toward a dirt path on the right side of the runway. As the aircraft approached the path, the right wing struck tall reeds located between the path and an irrigation canal. The friction from the reeds slowed the wing and caused the aircraft to deviate, leading the right main wheel into the canal. The wheel sank into the water, causing a sudden stop that resulted in the aircraft overturning. The final position of the aircraft was inverted, with the right wing submerged in the canal. ## Damage and Investigation Findings The pilot was uninjured and was able to exit the aircraft and the canal independently. The aircraft sustained significant damage, which was considered recoverable. Damage to the propeller and engine indicated that the engine was nearly stopped at the time of the runway excursion. The investigation noted that the aircraft's weight was likely near its maximum authorized takeoff weight, as it was the first flight of the day and had only completed a 10-minute ferry flight prior to the incident.