What happened
On July 27, 2002, at approximately 09:00, a Piper PA-3-375, registration EC-EJX, was performing agricultural spraying operations using powdered product over cornfields near the Valdetorres airstrip in Badajoz, Spain. The aircraft was conducting its second flight of the morning.
During the takeoff roll, as the aircraft reached the end of the runway and began to lift off, the pilot encountered a wind gust or vortex. This atmospheric disturbance pushed the aircraft back toward the ground. During the subsequent impact, the main landing gear struck a mound of earth, causing the aircraft to lose stability and crash violently into the terrain. The engine ceased operation prior to the final impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's experience, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot, a commercial pilot with 2,121 total flight hours (including 1,610 hours on this type), was uninjured. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, and maintenance was up to date.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's load, noting that the operator estimated a payload of 550–650 kilograms of powder, well below the maximum hopper capacity of 1,000 kilograms. Meteorological data indicated light winds and temperatures around 20–22 degrees Celsius in the vicinity, with no significant adverse weather predicted. The investigation also focused on the physical damage to the aircraft, which included the failure of both main landing gear legs and damage to the propeller, engine, and fuselage.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating significantly below its maximum takeoff weight.
- The aircraft's main landing gear sustained heavy damage, with the left leg being torn away from the airframe.
- The available takeoff distance was insufficient given the specific operational weight, temperature, and altitude conditions.
- Aircraft used in agricultural spraying often operate at the edge of their performance limits, meaning minor disturbances—such as wind gusts, slight changes in angle of attack, or momentary power fluctuations—can lead to an accident.