Ground Loss of Control During Takeoff Involving an Air Tractor AT502B in Argentina (LV-IUP)

Incident Overview and Location On 23 December 2025, at approximately 17:00, an Air Tractor AT502B with registration LV-IUP experienced a loss of control on the ground during the takeoff phase. The incident occurred at EA ITA-CAABO, located 38 km east-southeast of Mercedes in the province of Corrientes, Argentina. The aircraft was destroyed, and the sole occupant, the pilot-in-command, sustained serious injuries. ## Aircraft and Operational Details The aircraft was a 2018 Air Tractor AT502B, serial number 502B-3156, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-series turbine engine and equipped with a Hartzell HC-B3TN-3D/T propeller. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had accumulated 686.5 flight hours. It was operated by a private owner in Argentina for non-scheduled agricultural aerial work. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, and its maintenance documentation was current. ## Environmental and Impact Conditions Meteorological conditions at the time were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) in daylight, with visibility of 15,000 m and a variable wind from 360 degrees at 5 kt. The terrain at the location of the wreckage was level and flat, consisting of grass at an elevation of 262 ft. The aircraft traveled 40 m before impact, striking the ground at a speed of 60 kt in a nose-down attitude with a moderate bank. ## Survival and Preliminary Findings The pilot, a 44-year-old male, survived the incident and escaped within 3 minutes. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was not activated. Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft failed to achieve an optimal takeoff speed. The incident was classified as an accident with a severity of destroyed and a serious injury level.