What happened
On November 19, 2012, a Cessna 172, registration HK-4890G, was operating a general aviation flight from Girardot to Guaymaral. The pilot filed a flight plan for 10:00 local time, intending to fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at an altitude of 10,500 feet via a route passing through Guataquí, Guaduas, Villeta, San Francisco, and Tenjo.
After departing at 10:10 local time, the pilot established contact with Bogotá Radio while over San Francisco at 10:48, reporting an altitude of 10,500 feet and stating the next reporting point would be Tenjo. However, the pilot never reached Tenjo. Radar tracking showed the aircraft performing turns near San Francisco, dropping to 10,200 feet, before disappearing from radar surveillance.
Following the loss of contact, the aircraft was declared in a state of emergency (DETRESFA). After a search effort, the Colombian Air Force located the wreckage on November 24. The aircraft had struck trees and a steep mountain face at approximately 9,100 feet, resulting in a post-impact fire. The one pilot on board was killed in the accident.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight history, maintenance records, and meteorological conditions. The investigation noted that during a flight two days prior, the pilot had experienced a terrain warning on the aircraft's GPS while maneuvering in mountainous terrain.
Investigators analyzed radar tracks, which showed the aircraft's descent and maneuvers shortly before the loss of radar contact. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's medical history and flight experience, noting that the pilot was a qualified private pilot with a valid medical certificate. Maintenance records for the Cessna 172 were found to be up to date, and the aircraft was within weight and center-of-gravity limits at the time of the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) during VFR operations in mountainous terrain under low cloud conditions.
- The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation due to poor visibility and low cloud ceilings.
- Inadequate flight planning contributed to the accident, specifically a lack of familiarity with the route's terrain and failure to implement strategies to avoid CFIT.
- The pilot's navigation was erroneous, leading to the impact with the mountain.