What happened
During an unauthorized flight departing from Carata, Colombia, an aircraft experienced a total loss of power while approaching Gowers Corner. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the plane after the engine failed, leading to a crash into a pasture. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical contributing factors that led to the loss of control. The engine failure occurred during a period of poor weather, characterized by rain and thunderstorm activity, with visibility conditions falling below safe minimums. Additionally, the aircraft was being operated in an unauthorized manner.
Several operational errors were noted during the post-accident analysis:
- The aircraft was loaded improperly, exceeding the maximum landing weight by 304 lbs.
- There was evidence of insufficient preflight preparation and dangerous low-altitude flying.
- The pilot was likely suffering from extreme fatigue, as documentation suggested the crew had been flying for more than 16 hours since the initial takeoff at 05:44.
Ultimately, the complete engine failure combined with an overloaded airframe and severe weather conditions prevented a successful recovery of the flight.