What happened
On June 3, 2018, a Piper PA-36-300, registration LV-MZT, was prepared for an aerial seeding mission at an estate near La Carlota, Córdoba. The aircraft was loaded with 550 kg of rye seeds. Before departure, the pilot cleared frost from the windshield but left the rest of the fuselage and wings untreated.
During the takeoff roll from the prepared field, the pilot attempted to rotate the aircraft. However, the plane failed to lift off. The pilot continued the takeoff run in an attempt to stop the aircraft, but the plane eventually reached the end of the field. During the excursion, the main landing gear struck a livestock waterer, and the horizontal stabilizer and left elevator struck a fence. The aircraft subsequently made further contact with the ground, resulting in the loss of the main gear, the left elevator, and the seed spreader. The pilot escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine, propeller, and flight control systems, finding no mechanical failures or issues with the control surfaces. Calculations based on the pilot's data indicated that the aircraft's weight and balance were within safe operating limits for takeoff.
Evidence from the site and interviews confirmed that a significant layer of frost covered the upper fuselage, the top of the wings, and the horizontal stabilizer. While the pilot had cleared the windshield, the remaining frost on the aerodynamic surfaces was a critical factor.