What happened
On July 5, 2013, two Cirrus SR-22T aircraft, registrations HK4752 and N610BG, were conducting a formation flight along the Colombian coastline. The flight originated from Almirante Padilla Aerodrome in Riohacha with the intention of flying toward Santa Marta to compare aircraft performance and capture aerial photography.
While flying approximately 20 nautical miles from Puerto Bolívar, the aircraft lost visual contact due to the higher performance of the N610BG. The pilot of the N610BG issued instructions to the HK4752 to maintain a specific altitude and heading to re-establish visual contact. Although the pilot of the HK4752 reported they could not see the lead aircraft, the pilot of the N610BG insisted they had the other aircraft in sight and instructed the HK4752 to maintain its position to allow for an approach.
During this maneuver, the N610BG struck the HK4752 from left to right. The impact occurred when the vertical stabilizer of the N610BG struck the trailing edge of the right wing of the HK4752, becoming entangled in the flaps. The collision caused the N610BG to lose control and enter a dive toward the sea. The crew of the N610BG successfully activated the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), allowing the aircraft to descend under a parachute. The HK475 and continued to the nearest aerodrome, Puerto Bolívar, where it landed safely despite the damage.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation established that while the flight plan specified a formation flight, the two aircraft had actually been flying under individual navigation for approximately 50 nautical miles without maintaining the required separation distances mandated by Colombian aeronautical regulations.
Investigators found that at the moment of the collision, the aircraft was being controlled by the pilot accompanying the primary pilot in the N610BG. The investigation also noted that the aircraft were not adhering to the lateral or longitudinal separation standards required for formation flight under RAC 5 regulations.
Findings
- Failure to maintain separation: The primary cause of the collision was the crew's failure to maintain required flight separation.
- Depth perception error: The accompanying pilot in the N610BG experienced an error in depth perception, failing to accurately determine the closing speed and altitude relative to the other aircraft.
- Lack of formation experience: The crew possessed little to no experience in performing formation flight maneuvers.
- Inaccurate visual assessment: The pilot of the N610BG incorrectly believed the HK4752 was in a position that allowed for a safe approach.