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. During the 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 near Colonia 18 de Julio, approximately 10 km northeast of the departmental capital. During the landing sequence, the aircraft struck a strand of perimeter netting. A portion 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 established that the event did not meet the criteria for an accident or a serious incident under national or international regulations. The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the engine failure and the subsequent damage sustained during the off-field touchdown.
Findings
- The primary cause of the emergency landing was the loss of engine power during the return leg of the mission.
- The landing in an unprepared area resulted in structural damage to the left wing fabric and the detachment of the tailwheel due to ground irregularities.