What happened
On December 4, 2024, at approximately 16:30 local time, a Piper PA25-235 agricultural aircraft, registration CX-BAZ, was performing urea application over rice fields near Colonia Palma, Artigas, Uruguay. The aircraft had been conducting aerial spraying operations since 11:00 that morning, completing several successful passes and landings for refueling and fertilizer replenishment.
Following a takeoff from an improvised dirt strip, the aircraft flew approximately 1,500 to 1,800 meters before initiating a right-hand turn to align with the target fields. During this maneuver, the aircraft plummeted into the terrain. The impact primarily involved the landing gear and the spreading equipment striking an embankment. The aircraft slid approximately 16 meters across the ground before coming to rest in an inverted position.
Upon impact, the aircraft caught fire. The pilot managed to escape the wreckage by crawling through a gap created by the deformed cockpit structure, despite being forced to pass through flames. Ground support personnel immediately rushed to the scene and found the pilot nearby, suffering from significant injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the subsequent fire.
The investigation
The CIAIA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation noted that the aircraft was operating within its maximum takeoff weight limitations, with an estimated total weight of 1,207 kg against a maximum of 1,315 kg.
Investigators reviewed the pilot's flight history, noting that the pilot was a qualified commercial pilot with 1,236 total flight hours, including 106 hours in this specific aircraft type. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's mechanical state, noting that while the airworthiness certificate was valid, some maintenance logs for the period between November and December 2024 were not fully updated in the aircraft and engine logs.
Findings
- The pilot sustained severe burns covering approximately 46% of the body and required hospitalization for six months.
- The pilot experienced post-accident amnesia, unable to recall the events leading up to or during the crash.
- The aircraft was destroyed by fire, which was likely fueled by spilled fuel and the heat from the engine following the impact.
- The exact cause of the loss of control during the turn could not be determined due to the pilot's lack of memory and the destruction of the agricultural GPS by the fire.
- Meteorological conditions were favorable, with clear visibility and light winds.