2012 Cessna 172K accident in San Francisco, Cundinamarca (HK4890)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On November 19, 2012, a Cessna 172K with registration HK-4890G departed Girardot (GIR) for Guaymaral (GYM) under visual flight rules (VFR). The flight plan was filed for 10:00 local time at an altitude of 10,500 feet, routing via Guataquí, Guaduas, Villeta, San Francisco, and Tenjo. The aircraft made radio contact with Bogotá (BOG) at San Francisco at 10:48 local time but failed to report at the next notification point, Tenjo. Radar data indicated the aircraft was at 10,500 feet near San Francisco at 10:49 local time before turning south and then north, losing radar contact two minutes later. The aircraft was declared in a distress condition (DETRESFA) by air traffic services. It was located on November 24 by the Colombian Air Force, completely destroyed by a post-accident fire at approximately 9,100 feet. The accident occurred in adverse weather conditions for VFR flight in a mountainous area with low cloud. The sole occupant, a 53-year-old Colombian pilot, was killed. The aircraft sustained total destruction, with the cabin, wings (except part of the left wing), and part of the fuselage incinerated. The tail section with horizontal and vertical stabilizers was identified. Minor forest damage occurred from the fire. The probable cause was determined to be controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) during a flight in a mountainous area with low cloud, striking a mountain at 9,100 feet.