What happened
On June 14, 2000, at approximately 13:20 local time, a PIPER PA-3CO-285, registration EC-CQU, was involved in a loss of directional control on the ground at Villafranco del Guadalquivir, Sevilla. The aircraft, operated for aerial application services, had completed an aerial spraying flight and was proceeding to land at the local airstrip.
Following a normal approach and landing, the pilot was taxiing along the runway when a sudden gust of wind struck the aircraft. This gust caused the aircraft to drift toward the right side of the runway. The pilot was unable to regain directional control, leading the aircraft to veer off the runway surface and into a canal that runs adjacent and parallel to the runway. The aircraft sustained important damage during the excursion, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the environmental conditions and the physical characteristics of the airfield at the time of the incident. Investigators examined the meteorological data, which indicated visibility greater than 10 km, clear skies, and a temperature of 25°C, with winds blowing in an east-west direction at variable intensities.
Furthermore, the investigation assessed the runway geometry, noting that the airfield used for these operations is a temporary strip, which typically features narrower runways compared to permanent aerodromes. It was specifically noted that the right edge of this particular runway is bordered by the aforementioned canal.