What happened
On October 14, 2012, at approximately 06:16 local time, a PZL M-18 aircraft, registration HK4318, crashed while performing agricultural spraying operations near Los Cedros, Antioquia. The aircraft, operated by Compañía Aero Agrícola Integral S.A.S, departed from Los Cedros airport to spray fungicides in the "Indira" block of the Santa Ana farm.
After takeoff, the pilot maintained normal radio contact with the tower and transitioned to Unicom frequencies. However, approximately eight minutes into the flight, the aircraft disappeared from radio contact. A search by another company aircraft later located the wreckage within the target plantation. The impact with the terrain was a frontal collision at a low angle of incidence, occurring at an estimated speed of 200 km/ $\text{h}$. The force of the impact, combined with the irregular terrain of the plantation, caused the engine to pivot and the aircraft to undergo a dynamic rollover, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe. The single fatality was the pilot, who sustained multiple traumatic injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, flight data from the onboard SATLOC satellite spraying system, and the pilot's medical and professional history. The investigation confirmed that the PZL M-18 was airworthy, with all maintenance requirements and airworthiness directives up to date. The engine and propeller showed evidence of being under power at the moment of impact.
Investigators analyzed the flight path via GPS, which revealed that the aircraft entered the plantation in a continuous descent of -53 feet per minute. Notably, the pilot did not execute any emergency maneuvers, such as an evasive climb or an emergency discharge of the chemical payload, prior to the crash. The investigation also noted that the pilot had reportedly sustained a head injury while disembarking an aircraft two days prior to the accident, though forensic evidence could not definitively link this to the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a frontal collision with the terrain resulting from a loss of aircraft control.
- The pilot failed to react to the descending flight attitude, suggesting a possible in-flight physical incapacitation.
- There was no evidence of mechanical failure, engine malfunction, or impact with external obstacles prior to the ground collision.
- Meteorological conditions were within established visual flight rules (VFR) limits, with visibility and cloud ceilings above minimums.
- The aircraft was fully compliant with all regulatory and maintenance requirements.