What happened
On May 3, 2014, a Piper 31-310 (registration C-GSVM), operated by Brucelandair International, departed Palonegro Airport (SKBG) at 13:04 UTC for a geophysical survey mission. The flight was conducting low-altitude airborne magnetometry and gamma-spectrometry for a national development project.
At approximately 15:00 UTC, the pilot contacted Bucaramanga Approach to request a flight path near the airport. Following this communication, the aircraft ceased all radio contact. Although the company's satellite tracking system provided a final position at 15:23 UTC, the aircraft could not be located immediately due to heavy cloud cover and difficult terrain. Following a report from a local witness regarding a loud explosion, search teams located the wreckage on May 5, 2014, at the Cuchilla El Portachuelo. The aircraft was found at an elevation of 12,493 feet, completely destroyed by the impact and subsequent post-crash fire. There were two fatalities; both the pilot and the technical operator on board were Canadian nationals.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation established that the aircraft was airworthy, properly maintained, and that the pilot was fully qualified and certified for the mission. While the aircraft lacked flight data and cockpit voice recorders, investigators utilized satellite tracking data to reconstruct the flight path.
Analysis of meteorological data and satellite imagery revealed that the aircraft entered a cloud mass while maneuvering. The investigation also noted that the operator's manual lacked specific procedures for the specialized geophysical survey operations being conducted. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a lack of specific Colombian regulatory guidelines for this particular type of aerial geological exploration.
Findings
- The aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), likely while attempting to deviate from the planned work area to avoid low-level clouds.
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness due to significantly reduced visibility.
- The accident was a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- A deficient risk assessment occurred during low-altitude operations, exacerbated by the pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific area and the decision to operate with a single pilot.