What happened
On February 26, 2026, an accident occurred involving a Piper PA-25 aircraft registered as LV-MCM. The incident took place during low-altitude operations in Argentina, specifically within the coordinates 31:06:39 South latitude and 62:22:31 West longitude. At the time of the event, the aircraft was conducting agricultural work under non-scheduled operations for the operator Agrovueles S.A.S.
The flight originated from an aerodrome in Argentina with a planned duration of approximately three hours and twelve minutes. The accident occurred during the maneuvering phase of the flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed with visibility exceeding 9,999 meters under daylight conditions. The aircraft impacted level, flat terrain covered with crops, coming to rest approximately 200 meters from its last known position before impact.
The pilot-in-command, a male holding a commercial pilot license, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Despite the severity of the collision, which involved an estimated impact speed of 100 knots, the pilot survived the initial crash. He managed to escape the wreckage within one minute. However, he sustained minor injuries and did not survive the incident.
The investigation
The preliminary inquiry established that the aircraft was airworthy at the time of departure, with a valid certificate of airworthiness and current maintenance documentation. The Piper PA-25, manufactured in 1977, had accumulated 2,338 total flight hours. Its Lycoming 540 Family engine (serial L-19182-40A) had 2,352.3 total hours, with 852.3 hours since its last major overhaul.
The pilot-in-command held a commercial pilot license issued by the State of Registry and had logged 697.9 total flight hours, including 91.9 hours in the specific aircraft type. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules with no special ratings required for the operation.
Notably, the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was not carried on board during this flight. The aircraft was fueled with Grade 100 LL avgas. The pilot had been wearing his upper body restraint at the time of the accident.
Findings
The investigation identified several critical factors contributing to the outcome:
- Fatalities: One fatality occurred among the crew and passengers combined.
- Injuries: Minor injuries were sustained by the survivor before he succumbed to his injuries.
- Aircraft Damage: The aircraft suffered substantial damage upon impact with the ground.
- Operational Context: The accident happened during specialized agricultural aerial work, a high-risk phase of flight requiring low-altitude maneuvering.
The primary causal factor was the loss of control or inability to maintain altitude during low-level agricultural operations, leading to an uncontrolled descent and collision with the terrain. The absence of an ELT meant that automatic distress signaling was not initiated, potentially delaying rescue efforts despite the pilot's immediate escape.
Safety action
The inquiry highlighted the importance of adhering to safety equipment regulations, specifically the carriage of a functional emergency locator transmitter during all flights. Additionally, the incident underscores the inherent risks associated with low-altitude agricultural operations and the need for rigorous risk assessment and emergency preparedness protocols for pilots engaged in such specialized work.