What happened
On July 25, 2002, at approximately 10:45 local time, a Piper PA-36-375, registration EC-CUX, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations over orange groves in the municipality of Torres-Torres, Valencia. The aircraft was performing a series of short-duration flights, each lasting roughly 15 minutes, and had completed approximately 10 to 12 sorties earlier that morning.
During the final stages of the flight, the aircraft struck an electrical power line located near kilometer 14 of the N-234 highway. The impact caused the aircraft to plummet to the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the engine and airframe. The collision severed the electrical cable, which subsequently ignited a fire in the nearby terrain and triggered a multi-vehicle traffic accident on the N-234 highway.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft was operating in a general aviation capacity, specifically performing aerial application services. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was maneuvering near an improvised landing strip located approximately 2 kilometers from the Torres-Torres area. The investigation reviewed the flight sequence, noting that the accident occurred after the pilot had completed the majority of the planned spraying mission for that flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot failed to perceive the presence of the electrical power lines during the maneuvering phase of the operation.
- The impact with the cables resulted in significant structural and engine damage to the Piper PA-36-375.
- The pilot sustained only minor bruises and was able to egress the aircraft unassisted before being transported to the Sagunto General Hospital.