What happened
On January 15, 2025, at approximately 13:00 UTC, a Piper PA-25-235, registration LV-VAT, was conducting agricultural flight operations in a rural area of Villa Mantero, Entre Ríos, Argentina. While performing maneuvers at a low altitude, the aircraft struck medium-voltage power lines. The impact caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, which subsequently plummeted to the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot was able to escape the wreckage within two minutes and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) initiated an investigation into the crash, focusing on the aircraft's flight path and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the nature of the specialized aerial work being performed and the specific flight phase, which was identified as maneuvering. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's impact parameters, noting a nose-down attitude and a slight bank at an impact speed of approximately 65 knots.
Findings
Preliminary findings indicate that the primary cause of the accident was the impact with medium-voltage electrical cables. The investigation identified two key operational factors: the aircraft was operating at a low altitude as part of its agricultural mission, and there was a failure in obstacle clearance.
Additionally, investigators are looking into human factors that may have influenced the pilot's judgment or performance, specifically examining whether environmental stressors such as heat, dehydration, or fatigue played a role in the incident.