What happened
On August 25, 2003, a Cessna A-188-B, registration EC-CZS, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Puebla del Río, Sevilla. After approximately 70 minutes of flight time and a recent reload of 500 liters of liquid fungicide, the pilot initiated a left-hand turn to align with a rice field for a spraying pass.
During this maneuver, the aircraft began to "sink in the tail." The pilot attempted to correct the attitude by increasing engine power and widening the turn radius. As the aircraft continued to lose altitude, the pilot decided to perform an emergency discharge of the chemical payload. During this process, the left wing struck a low-voltage utility pole at an altitude of approximately 2.5 to 3 meters. The impact caused the left wing to detach and the aircraft to lose control, resulting in a crash that destroyed the aircraft and damaged several utility poles and a portion of the crop.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's actions, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the flight conditions. The pilot reported that despite increasing power, the tail-low attitude persisted. The investigation noted that the aircraft's weight, including the 500 liters of fungicide and fuel, was within permissible limits. Meteorological conditions were found to be favorable, with good visibility and light.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of lift during the turn, a condition typical when the angle of attack exceeds the critical value.
- The pilot's attempts to increase power and widen the turn were considered appropriate responses to the symptoms, though the low altitude of agricultural operations left little margin for recovery.
- The primary cause of the accident was insufficient airspeed during the turn, which led to the aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with the utility pole.