What happened
On June 14, 2014, a Cessna A188B, registration HK1740, was performing specialized agricultural spraying operations over a 49-hectare banana plantation at Finca Bureche, near Riohacha, Colombia. The aircraft was tasked with applying fungicide at a low altitude.
After successfully completing nine low-level passes, the pilot began a tenth pass in a north-south direction. During this maneuver, a flock of birds took flight from a tree situated directly in the aircraft's flight path. To avoid a direct collision with the birds, the pilot maintained a low-level flight profile rather than altering the trajectory. As the aircraft passed the birds, the pilot attempted an immediate climb, but the lower section of the aircraft struck the top of the tree.
The impact caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. In an attempt to steer the plane toward an arid field and avoid further obstacles, the aircraft struck the ground. The impact resulted in significant structural damage, including the separation of the right wing from the fuselage and the detachment of the engine and propeller. The pilot, who was wearing a seatbelt, was able to evacuate the aircraft unharmed.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined flight data from the aircraft's AGNAV satellite spraying system, which provided altitude, speed, and heading information. The analysis of the GPS traces confirmed that the pilot had successfully navigated around other known obstacles in the field during previous passes, demonstrating prior awareness of the terrain hazards.
Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, finding the engine and propeller to be in good working order and the aircraft fully compliant with airworthiness requirements. The investigation also considered meteorological conditions, noting that visibility was good and there were no adverse weather phenomena contributing to the event. The investigation noted that the pilot's medical certificate and commercial license were both valid at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot maintained a low-altitude flight path to avoid a flock of birds, which significantly reduced the available margin for climbing over the tree.
- The aircraft struck the tree with its lower structure and leading edges.
- The primary cause was the pilot's improper judgment in maintaining a low-level flight path to avoid bird strikes, which led to the collision with the obstacle.
- The subsequent loss of control and ground impact were secondary results of the initial collision with the tree.