Synopsis
On 8 September 2001, a Piper PA-25-150, registration EC-ASA, departed from runway 31 of Sabadell Airport at 11:38 local time for a banner towing flight. The aircraft was the sole occupant piloted.
Sequence of Events
During the attempt to hook a banner, the aircraft approached too low and misaligned. It caught the intended banner with a main landing gear wheel and simultaneously captured a second banner—placed on an adjacent pole—with a wing. The two banners were located in close proximity. The pilot then completed a circuit while trying to release the banners but was unsuccessful. He continued along the extension of runway 31 but could not gain altitude, ultimately executing an emergency landing in a clear area behind a shopping center, approximately 930 meters from the end of the runway. The landing was violent; both main landing gear legs detached, and a fire ensued, completely destroying the aircraft. The pilot sustained severe burns and died eleven days later in the hospital.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot suffered serious burns and succumbed to them eleven days after the accident. The aircraft was totally destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire. No other injuries or notable damages were reported.
Cause
The primary cause of the accident was an inadequate approach maneuver for the banner pickup, characterized by improper altitude and alignment, which led to the abnormal capture of the intended banner and the unintentional capture of a second banner. The close spacing of the banners reduced the safety margin for the operation.