What happened
On August 17, 2017, at approximately 10:15, a Piper PA25-150, registration CX-BYK-R, was returning to its base after completing agricultural spraying operations in a plantation near Colonia 18 de Julio, Uruguay. During the return flight, the aircraft's engine experienced a loss of power.
As the aircraft approached its final approach at a low altitude, the pilot had limited time to react and performed an emergency landing in an unprepared area. During the landing sequence, the aircraft struck a strand of perimeter fencing. A piece of the netting passed over the left wing, causing a tear in the upper surface fabric. Additionally, upon coming to a stop, the tailwheel struck an uneven patch of ground, causing it to detach from the airframe. The pilot exited the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAIA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the engine failure and the subsequent damage sustained during the off-field landing. The investigation established that the aircraft was engaged in agricultural work involving liquid application when the power loss occurred. The investigation also examined the structural damage to the wing and the loss of the tailwheel due to ground irregularities at the landing site.