What happened
On July 31, 2013, at approximately 11:30 local time, a Cessna A-188B, registration HK-3585, was conducting agricultural spraying operations over the Hacienda La Guaca in Candelaria, Valle del Cauca. While the pilot was executing a turn to begin a new spray pass, the engine experienced an unexpected shutdown, resulting in a loss of power.
Unable to maintain flight, the pilot performed an emergency landing in an unprepared field. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck furrows in the plantation, causing the left main landing gear to detach from the fuselage. This impact caused the aircraft to pivot approximately 15 and a half degrees to the left. The sequence of events resulted in significant damage to the propeller, the engine cowling, the wings, the spraying system, and the right landing gear. The pilot, the sole occupant, evacuated the aircraft unharmed.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the operational procedures of the operator, FUMIVALLE LTDA. Investigators conducted a post-incident visual inspection of the engine at an aeronautical workshop. Tests performed on a test bench on August 14, 2013, showed that the Continental IO-520-D engine functioned correctly during various power settings, including rapid and slow accelerations, and showed satisfactory cylinder compression. The investigation could not definitively determine the specific cause of the in-flight engine shutdown.
Regarding organizational factors, the investigation examined the company's manual of operations. It was noted that the company's procedures for pilot selection, training, and supervision were insufficient, lacking detailed technical evaluations of experience and specific operational profiles for agricultural spraying pilots.
Findings
- The engine experienced an unidentified failure that led to an unexpected shutdown during a turn.
- The pilot performed an emergency landing in an unprepared field, which led to the structural failure of the landing gear.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, engine cowling, wings, and spraying equipment.
- Organizational deficiencies were identified in the operator's personnel selection and training programs, specifically regarding the lack of standardized technical evaluations for new pilots.
- The pilot's response during the emergency landing did not follow the manufacturer's recommended three-point landing technique.