Accident Details
On 6 May 2023 at 14:00 UTC, a Piper Pawnee PA-25-235, registration LV-MNB, operated by Aviación Agrícola AB S.R.L., was departing from an unpaved temporary field near San José, Córdoba, Argentina, for an agricultural application flight. The field had a length of 650 meters and a width of 30 meters, with a heading of approximately 030/210. The pilot chose to take off toward the south due to a row of tall poplar trees at the northern end, and the wind was nearly calm (360° at 2 knots according to the National Meteorological Service). The aircraft was loaded with 360 liters of spray liquid.
Sequence of Events
After a takeoff roll of about 200 meters, the aircraft abruptly veered to the left. The pilot applied right rudder input but the aircraft did not respond and continued its leftward path. The left wing then struck a pile of stacked firewood located on the left side of the strip. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees and come to a stop facing north.
Damage and Injuries
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the propeller, engine, wings, and fuselage. The pilot exited the aircraft unaided and sustained no injuries.
Investigation Findings
During inspection, investigators found that the left main landing gear wheel was misaligned relative to its axle. A search of the runway for missing wheel components was conducted but not all parts were recovered. Tire marks from both main gear wheels were identified on the runway in the final portion of the takeoff roll, prior to the collision with the woodpile. The event was classified as a failure or malfunction of a system or component not related to the powerplant.