What happened
On January 23, 2012, at approximately 06:30 local time, an Air Tractor AT-301, registration HK-3289, was conducting agricultural spraying operations in the Rancho Grande area of Carepa, Antioquia. The aircraft, operated by Servicios de Fumigación Aérea Garay S.A., had departed from the Los Almendros aerodrome and had successfully completed two spraying passes.
During the turn following the second pass, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot immediately leveled the wings and attempted to return to the Los Cedros aerodrome, which was along the flight path. In an effort to maintain flight, the pilot jettisoned the entire load of agrochemical. Despite this action, the aircraft could not maintain altitude and was forced to perform an emergency landing in an unprepared banana plantation at the El Ivan farm. The aircraft struck a ditch during the landing roll, causing significant structural damage to the main landing gear, fuselage, wings, and engine components. The pilot, the sole occupant, evacuated the aircraft unharmed.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the pilot's flight experience, maintenance records, and the physical condition of the engine and propeller. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 7,000 total flight hours and significant time in this specific aircraft type. Maintenance logs indicated that the aircraft was up to date with all required inspections, including a recent 50-hour service.
Investigators inspected the engine and found no evidence of mechanical failure, foreign object damage, or internal component breakage. The investigation ruled out fuel contamination and fuel exhaustion, as there was no evidence of such issues at the site or during the flight duration. The investigation also found that the aircraft's weight and balance were within limits and that meteorological conditions were favorable for flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an unidentified loss of engine power.
- The pilot's decision to jettison the chemical load was an appropriate emergency procedure to attempt to maintain altitude.
- The engine was found to be mechanically sound upon post-incident inspection, leaving the specific cause of the power loss undetermined.
- The aircraft sustained major structural damage to the engine mount, propeller, wings, and landing gear due to the impact with the terrain.