2013 Cessna 152 emergency landing in Barrancabermeja (HK2248)

Incident Overview and Flight Context On April 7, 2013, a Cessna 152, registration HK-2248 G, operated by Escuela de Aviación de los Andes Sociedad Anónima (Aeroandes S.A.), was conducting a pilot-instruction flight as part of a multi-aircraft training cruise. The aircraft departed Rafael Núñez Airport in Cartagena (SKCG) with two other Aeroandes aircraft, HK-2068 G and HK-2703 G. The group performed a touch-and-go at Simón Bolívar Airport in Santa Marta (SKSM) before continuing toward Yarigüies Airport in Barrancabermeja (SKEJ). ## Emergency Landing and Impact During descent for landing at SKEJ, approximately 9 nautical miles from the runway, the crew of the lead aircraft reported an abnormal engine noise and an apparent engine failure to the other aircraft and to the control tower. The instructor assumed control and elected to make an emergency landing in an unprepared field. The aircraft landed in a field at Finca El Lebrón, Vereda Pénjamo, Barrancabermeja, Santander, approximately 6.5 nautical miles from SKEJ. During the landing, the aircraft struck a boundary fence, which caused it to flip and come to rest inverted. ## Occupants and Damage The aircraft carried a pilot instructor and a student pilot, both Colombian nationals. The student pilot was uninjured, while the instructor sustained a minor shoulder injury. Both occupants exited the aircraft under their own power. No post-incident fire occurred. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the landing gear, propeller, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and upper and lower fuselage. Minor damage was also reported to the grass and fence of the field. ## Aircraft and Operational Details The Cessna 152, serial number 5281271, was manufactured in 1978 and powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had 22,217:27 total flight hours, and the engine had 11,918:24 total flight hours. The pilot instructor held a valid medical certificate and had 3,606:30 total flight hours, including 1,298:12 hours in the type. The student pilot had 134:42 total flight hours, including 105:36 hours in the type. ## Environmental and Contributing Factors Meteorological conditions at Barrancabermeja were reported as calm winds, visibility greater than 10 kilometers, scattered clouds, and a temperature of about 31°C, and were considered suitable for safe operation. Navigation aids and communications were reported to have functioned normally and were not considered to have influenced the incident. The aircraft was not required to be equipped with a flight data recorder under applicable regulations.