What happened
On October 4, 2021, a Piper PA-A-25-235, registration LV-LXG, was performing agricultural spraying operations in a rural area near El Faro, Buenos Aires. The aircraft departed from the Coronel Dorrego airfield for a mission involving the application of products to various plots of land.
During a transit between a completed work site and a new target area, the aircraft was flying at a low altitude under visual flight conditions. While navigating, the pilot reached into a pocket to retrieve a paper map. During this moment of distraction, the aircraft unintentionally descended and struck the terrain at a shallow angle, striking a fence and causing damage to the main landing gear. The impact dislodged components including the spray pump and parts of the spraying system. Following the initial contact, the pilot managed to regain altitude before performing a controlled descent to land the aircraft, which eventually came to a stop approximately 400 meters from the initial impact site.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the pilot's actions. Technical examination of the engine and propeller showed that the engine was operational at the time of impact. There was no evidence of mechanical failure, fuel issues, or loss of flight control surfaces. Maintenance records and the aircraft's annual airworthiness certification were found to be in compliance with current regulations.
Regarding the crew, the pilot's flight logs indicated significant experience, with over 2,600 total flight hours. Interviews revealed that the pilot had been working since early morning and that the flight schedule was managed to prevent fatigue. The investigation also examined the condition of the cockpit safety equipment, noting that while the seat harness successfully restrained the pilot during the impact, the webbing showed significant discoloration.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at low altitude during the flight.
- The pilot distracted himself by looking down to locate a paper map in his pocket, leading to an unintended descent.
- There was no evidence of engine or mechanical failure contributing to the accident.
- The pilot's seat harness showed signs of significant UV-related degradation (discoloration), which is an indicator of wear according to regulatory warnings.
Safety action
- Operators, owners, and maintenance workshops should include the inspection of seat harnesses and safety belts in their routine maintenance programs, specifically checking for wear and UV degradation as established in regulatory guidelines.