What happened
On February 15, 2024, at approximately 14:30 UTC, a Piper PA-36-6-300, registration LV-BSU, was conducting agricultural flight operations near Villa Eloísa, Santa Fe. The aircraft departed from and was intended to return to the El Gaucho private aerodrome. During the mission, the aircraft struck an electrical power line, which severely compromised the pilot's ability to maintain control of the aircraft. Following the collision, the plane impacted the ground in a rural area. The pilot was able to evacuate the aircraft on their own before the wreckage caught fire. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were no fatalities or injuries reported among the crew or any other persons.
The investigation
Preliminary findings from the JST investigation indicate that the aircraft was engaged in aerial application (agricultural work) at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the contact with the electrical cables and the subsequent loss of control. The aircraft was operating under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) during the flight.