Flight History
On January 31, 2014, at 07:05 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registration HK-2146-G, operated by Academia de Pilotos de Aviación Limitada “ADEVIA S.A.”, was conducting a training flight. The flight was planned from Pereira (SKPE) to Buenaventura (SKBU) for a touch-and-go, then to Cali (SKCL), with a pilot instructor and a student pilot on board.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
Approximately 10 minutes into the flight, south of the Pereira VOR, the engine experienced a slight vibration, accompanied by a decrease in the RPM indication. The instructor pilot assumed control and requested a return to Pereira, which was approved. During the return maneuver, the engine completely shut down, resulting in a total loss of power. The crew initially planned an emergency landing at Santa Ana Aerodrome (SKGO) in Cartago. However, due to insufficient glide distance, the instructor opted for a forced landing in an unprepared field on the property of Finca La Trinidad, about 387 meters from the threshold of runway 19 at SKGO.
During the landing roll on uneven terrain, the aircraft decelerated and struck fence posts and wires. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the engine, left wing, and landing gear. Both crew members evacuated the aircraft uninjured and without assistance. No post-impact fire occurred.
Damage
The aircraft suffered considerable damage to the following components:
- Left wing leading edge tip, wingtip, flap, center beam and structure, and root leading edge.
- Right wing wingtip.
- Left main landing gear and nose landing gear.
- Internal and external engine components.
Additionally, fence posts and wire from the perimeter fence were detached due to impact.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the serious incident was caused by total power loss due to a ductile fracture of the connecting rod cap bolt No.2, resulting from high tensile stresses transmitted from inside the engine's combustion chambers.