Casualties unknown

Piper PA-36-375 Loses Reference While Taxiing Over Bridge at Villafranco del Guadalquivir (EC-EIP)

Villafranco del Guadalquivir (Sevilla), ES

On July 4, 2000, a Piper PA-36-375 (registration EC-EIP) was involved in an aviation accident near Villafranco del Guadalquivir (Sevilla), ES. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot lost the central reference of the bridge due to the slope and narrowness of the bridge. This summary draws on records from the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC).

Sourcesthe Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC)Primary reportUpdated 2026-09-13Data APIEditorial standards

On 4 July 2000, a Piper PA-36-375 (EC-EIP) conducting aerial application lost directional reference while crossing a narrow bridge after landing, causing the right main wheel to depart the bridge. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; the pilot was uninjured.

Accident Details

On 4 July 2000, at approximately 09:30 local time, a Piper PA-36-375 (registration EC-EIP) was operating from the La Abundancia airstrip in Villafranco del Guadalquivir, Seville, performing crop-dusting flights. After completing its ninth landing of the morning, the pilot had the aircraft under control and braked on the runway. While attempting to cross a bridge at the end of the runway, the pilot lost the central reference of the bridge. The right main wheel subsequently departed the bridge on the corresponding side.

Damage and Injuries

The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The right landing gear leg was broken, the right wing suffered various damage, the propeller blades were bent, and the engine likely incurred damage. The pilot, a 27-year-old commercial pilot with 988 total flight hours, was uninjured.

Investigation

Weather conditions were calm with good visibility, no cloud cover, and a temperature of 25°C. The runway measured 1,500 meters in length and 10 meters in width. The pilot was familiar with the airstrip, having operated there for several years. The bridge involved had an ascending slope in the direction of travel and was quite narrow.

Conclusions

The incident was caused by the pilot losing the central reference of the bridge due to its slope and narrowness.

Probable cause

The pilot lost the central reference of the bridge due to the slope and narrowness of the bridge.

Investigation report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). Original record: https://www.transportes.gob.es/recursos_mfom/2000_022_in_0.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviacion Civil (CIAIAC), Spain - Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible.