2012 Piper PA-25-260 accident in Cumaribo, Colombia (HK588)

Overview and operation details On 22 November 2012, a Piper PA-25-260 with registration HK-588 was operating an aerial spraying mission for Fumigaciones Áreas del Norte Fuminorte Ltda. The aircraft was owned and operated by the company, and the operation was classified as special aerial work for fumigation. The flight was scheduled to begin at 17:00 local time and was expected to end around 17:20 local time. ## Sequence of events Earlier that day, spraying operations had been conducted from 08:00 to 10:30 local time before being suspended due to wind and temperature conditions. Operations resumed at 15:30 local time, with the final flight of the day scheduled for 17:00 local time. When the aircraft did not return by the expected time, company personnel searched the assigned spraying area. Approximately one hour and forty minutes later, they found the aircraft in an accident condition. The sole occupant, the pilot, was found alive but in critical condition and reported that a gust of wind had brought the aircraft down. The pilot was evacuated to the military base in Cumaribo, where he later died. ## Aircraft and pilot information The aircraft was a Piper PA-25-260, serial number 25-5456, manufactured in 1979, with registration HK-588. It was powered by a Lycoming O-540-G1A5 engine and equipped with a Hartzell HC-C2YK-1BF propeller. The pilot was a 60-year-old Colombian holding a commercial pilot license and a fumigation qualification. His medical certificate was valid until 21 December 2012. The pilot had a total of 4,083:41 flight hours and 191:00 hours on the Piper PA-25-260. His last check ride in the type was completed on 24 May 2012 with satisfactory results. ## Investigation findings The investigation determined that the accident occurred due to loss of control in flight, likely caused by a significant reduction in speed during the approach maneuver to enter the spraying area. This resulted in an unexpected stall due to lack of lift, with insufficient time and altitude to recover control. The aircraft impacted the ground nose-down approximately 16 meters from the entrance fence of the lot, with significant damage to the propeller, engine, engine mount, fumigation tank, and front of the cockpit. No post-impact fire occurred. ## Meteorological conditions Satellite imagery analysis indicated that at the time of the accident, the area was characterized by developed cloud formations with high humidity, influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone. While convective air currents were highly probable, the investigation concluded that these conditions could not have directly caused the loss of control of the aircraft.