Flight Details
On 15 April 2023 at 15:05 UTC, a Piper PA-A-25-235, registration LV-OHT, was involved in an accident during an agricultural aerial work operation. The aircraft had departed five minutes earlier from a temporary grass airstrip located at Estancia La Capilla in Gualeguay, Entre Ríos. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions.
Accident Sequence
After takeoff, the aircraft proceeded toward the application area. While flying over a grove of trees, the right wing struck a tree that was taller than the surrounding vegetation. Following the collision, the airplane impacted the ground and traveled approximately 200 meters before coming to rest. The pilot evacuated the aircraft unassisted and received minor injuries; personnel from the establishment provided assistance.
Aircraft and Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including to the fuselage, propeller, engine, main landing gear, and both wings. The airplane was equipped with a low-pressure dry chemical fire extinguisher, as required by Argentine regulations.
Pilot Information
The pilot held an agricultural pilot license and a valid aeromedical certificate. The investigation was unable to confirm total flight hours because the pilot's logbook had not been updated. The pilot reported that this was the fifth flight of the day, with operations alternating between two pilots starting at 10:00 and ending around 17:00 local time.
Weather Conditions
Cloud cover consisted of 6/8 altocumulus, which did not affect visibility at low altitude and reduced solar glare that could have hindered obstacle identification.
Investigation Findings
During the investigation, no evidence was found that the pilots had pre-assessed the risks associated with taller trees in the groves that needed to be overflown before reaching the spraying area. The pilot stated he did not notice the taller tree before the impact.