What happened
On November 8, 2016, at approximately 06:55 a.m., an Cessna A-188B (registration HI-778) was attempting to depart from the Plantaciones del Norte Aerodrome in Cerro Gordo, Montecristamente, for an agricultural spraying mission. The aircraft, operated by Aero Servicios del Valle, CxA, was loaded with approximately 160 gallons of agricultural mixture in its hopper.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to achieve lift-off. The aircraft traversed the entire length of the runway and struck a perimeter fence at the end of the strip. The impact with the fence allowed the aircraft to veer into a nearby dry forest, where it collided with numerous trees and shrubs. The impact caused the wings to detach from the fuselage. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's training and flight history, and the physical wreckage. Investigators analyzed the runway conditions, noting that the strip consisted of 204 meters of asphalt and the remainder was grass. The weather was found to be favorable for flight operations.
Upon inspecting the wreckage, investigators specifically examined the position of the wing flaps. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting he was a commercial pilot with 7,500 total flight hours and significant experience in this specific model.