What happened
On April 15, 2023, at 15:05 UTC, a Piper PA-A-25-235, registration LV-OHT, was conducting agricultural spraying operations near Gualeguay, Entre Ríos. The aircraft departed from a temporary dirt airstrip at Estancia La Capilla for its fifth flight of the day. Approximately five minutes into the flight, while maneuvering at low altitude, the right wing of the aircraft struck a tree that was taller than the surrounding vegetation. Following the collision, the aircraft slid approximately 200 meters across the terrain before coming to a stop. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the aircraft independently.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was operating in a rural area using a temporary 500-meter unpaved runway. Investigators found that while the weather provided visual flight conditions, the presence of altocumulus clouds reduced direct sunlight, which may have affected the visibility of obstacles.
Technical inspections of the Piper PA-A-25-235 revealed no mechanical failures or maintenance deficiencies that contributed to the event. The investigation also noted that the pilot's flight logs were not up to date, making it impossible to verify total flight hours, though his medical certification was valid. Additionally, the investigation examined the onboard fire extinguisher, noting it was a dry powder type, which is not recommended by international standards due to potential cabin contamination.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to identify a tree of greater height than the surrounding canopy during low-altitude maneuvers.
- The operation was conducted in an area with uneven vegetation heights, making obstacle recognition difficult.
- There was no evidence that the crew had previously assessed the risks associated with taller trees within the flight path.