What happened
On July 21, 2000, a Piper PA-36-300, registration EC-HOF, was conducting agricultural spraying operations over rice fields in the Ebro Delta, Tarragona. While performing a flight from a temporary landing strip, the pilot experienced significant engine irregularities, including vibrations and exhaust explosions.
As the pilot approached the landing strip, the engine performance became increasingly unstable. During the final approach, the pilot observed another aircraft beginning its takeoff roll from the opposite direction. To avoid a collision, the pilot initiated a 36/0-degree turn to adjust to the other aircraft's position. During this maneuver, the engine lost power rapidly, causing the aircraft to descend into a nearby rice field. The aircraft struck the ground approximately two meters from the runway, bounced, and eventually came to rest on the landing strip. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, engine, landing gear, and lower structure.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the operational circumstances of the landing. Inspectors examined the engine following the impact and sudden stoppage. While the inspection revealed cracked crankcases and a deteriorated alternator, no evidence was found to suggest a mechanical failure had caused an in-flight engine shutdown prior to the impact. The inspection was primarily aimed at returning the engine to service rather than identifying a specific pre-existing fault.
Investigators also examined the communication environment. The aircraft was not equipped with a radio, which is common for agricultural operations in uncontrolled airspace. This lack of communication meant the pilot could not alert other aircraft to the ongoing engine issues or the emergency approach.
Findings
- The pilot experienced engine instability characterized by vibrations and exhaust pops, which fluctuated depending on the fuel mixture settings.
- The pilot attempted an evasive maneuver to avoid a departing aircraft, which required a turn under conditions of reduced airspeed, altitude, and power.
- The pilot was unable to successfully complete the evasive maneuver due to the combination of the turn and the loss of engine power.
- The decision to cross a wide river (approximately 300–400 meters) while experiencing engine instability increased the operational risk.
- Reducing power for the landing approach, while standard, likely exacerbated the engine's inability to maintain performance during the subsequent turn.