Incident Overview
On July 31, 2013, at approximately 11:30 local time, a single-engine Cessna A188 B with registration HK-3585 was involved in a serious incident. The aircraft was owned by MAR 2 S.A.S and operated by Fumigaciones Aéreas del Valle (FUMI VALLE LTDA) for agricultural spraying operations. The event occurred at the Hacienda La Guaca estate in the municipality of Candelaria, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
Flight Sequence
The pilot, a 57-year-old commercial pilot, departed from the Las Cañas aerodrome at 10:30 local time to conduct crop duster passes over the estate. After completing sixteen passes, the aircraft suffered an uncommanded engine stop while maneuvering for another pass. The pilot immediately initiated a forced landing in a cultivated field within the same property.
Impact and Damage
During the emergency landing roll, the left main landing gear detached from the fuselage. This structural failure caused the aircraft to pivot abruptly 150 degrees to the left. The impact resulted in significant damage to the propeller, wings, engine cowling, and the agricultural spraying system. The pilot exited the aircraft unharmed without assistance. No post-impact fire occurred.
Technical Findings
The investigation noted that the Continental IO-520-D engine (Serial 175608-R) had undergone a major overhaul in 2011 and was certified for service. Post-incident inspections at an authorized repair facility revealed no structural rupture of the crankcase or cylinders. The engine turned freely without noise or obstruction, and functional bench tests conducted in August 2013 showed satisfactory performance across all power settings.
Environmental Conditions
Weather conditions at the time were optimal for flight. Local meteorological reports indicated light winds from the west, 9,000 meters visibility, and a temperature of 27°C. The incident occurred during daylight hours with no adverse weather phenomena affecting the operation.