Loss of Control Leads to Fatal Piper PA-25 Crash During Aerial Spraying Operations

Casualties unknown • Cumaribo, CO

A single-engine aircraft crashed in Vichada, Colombia, during a crop dusting mission, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What happened

On November 22, 2012, at approximately 17:20 HL, a Piper PA-25-260, registration HK-588, crashed in the Lote La Marina area within the municipality of Cumaribo, Vichada. The aircraft, operated by Fuminorte Ltda, was engaged in specialized aerial spraying operations.

Earlier that day, spraying activities had been suspended due to wind and temperature conditions. Operations resumed at 15:30 HL, with the final flight of the day scheduled to conclude around 17:20 HL. When the aircraft failed to return to the company base as scheduled, ground personnel conducted a search of the active work site. They located the wreckage approximately one hour and forty minutes later. The pilot was found alive but in critical condition; despite being evacuated to a military base in Cumaribo, the pilot later succumbed to injuries sustained from severe chest trauma.

The investigation

The GRIAA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's experience, and local meteorological conditions. The investigation confirmed that the Piper PA-25-260 was fully airworthy, with all required maintenance inspections, including a 100-hour service, completed recently. The engine and propeller showed no signs of mechanical failure or progressive defects; all damage was attributed to the impact with the ground.

Satellite imagery indicated significant cloud formation and high humidity in the area due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), suggesting the presence of convective air currents. While the pilot noted a wind gust during the event, investigators determined that meteorological conditions were not the primary cause of the accident. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 4,000 total flight hours and a valid commercial license.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operating within weight and balance limits and was in a satisfactory state of maintenance.
  • The engine and propeller functioned correctly up until the moment of impact.
  • The accident occurred during a visual flight rules (VFR) approach to the spraying lot.
  • A significant reduction in airspeed during the approach maneuver likely caused an unexpected loss of lift, leading to an unrecoverable stall at an altitude and airspeed insufficient to regain control.

Probable cause

The loss of control in flight was caused by a significant decrease in airspeed during the approach maneuver into the spraying lot, resulting in an unexpected stall from which the pilot could not recover due to insufficient altitude and time.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-11-22 PA-25-260 accident near Cumaribo, CO?

A single-engine aircraft crashed in Vichada, Colombia, during a crop dusting mission, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-11-22 involved a PA-25-260, registration HK588, at Cumaribo, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The loss of control in flight was caused by a significant decrease in airspeed during the approach maneuver into the spraying lot, resulting in an unexpected stall from which the pilot could not recover due to insufficient altitude and time.

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