What happened
On April 3, 2013, a Cessna 188B, registration HK1822, was performing a scheduled calibration of its aerial spraying equipment near La Ceiba, Magdalena. The flight, operated by Calima S.A.S., was intended to test the spray system using water as a substitute for chemical products.
After several successful test passes over the runway, the pilot initiated a left-hand turn at a low altitude. During this maneuver, the left wingtip struck a coconut palm tree approximately 8 meters in height. The impact caused the aircraft to lose control and plummet to the ground in an inverted position. The aircraft sustained catastrophic structural failure, with the engine, propeller, and wings separating from the fuselage upon impact. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries due to severe head trauma caused by the sudden deceleration and impact with the instrument panel.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the aircraft's mechanical condition, the flight path, and the environmental factors at the time of the accident. Investigators analyzed GPS data, which confirmed the aircraft was performing low-altitude passes consistent with calibration procedures.
Post-accident inspections of the Teledyne Continental engine and the propeller revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or loss of power; both components showed signs of being under power at the moment of impact. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that while the aircraft had been inactive for five months prior to the accident, all recent maintenance and engine ground runs had been completed successfully. Meteorological data indicated clear visibility and favorable flying conditions, with no solar glare interfering with the pilot's vision.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision of the aircraft with a natural obstacle during a low-altitude maneuver.
- The pilot misjudged the relationship between the aircraft's altitude and the height of the nearby trees during the turn.
- The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in excellent meteorological conditions.
- The engine and propeller were functioning normally and producing power at the time of the crash.
- The company lacked standardized operational procedures specifically for the calibration of spraying equipment, leading to non-standardized flight practices during test maneuvers.