Synopsis
On 8 September 2014, at 16:21 local time (21:21 UTC), a Cessna 182P aircraft, registration HK1921, operated by Latinoamericana de Servicios Aéreo - LASER AERO S.A.S., experienced a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport (SKMU) in Mitú, Vaupés, Colombia. The pilot executed a forced landing on the Vaupés River (Caño Cuduyari). The aircraft sustained structural damage and sank inverted in the riverbed.
Flight Background
The aircraft was scheduled for a commercial flight to the indigenous community of Tapurucuara with two passengers and one pilot. Earlier on the same day, the pilot had completed multiple flights to various communities, including Papunaua, Trinidad de Tiquié, Yapú, and Bocoa Querari, transporting passengers and cargo. The final flight departed from runway 02 at 16:15 local time. About one and a half minutes after becoming airborne, the engine began to malfunction and subsequently shut down. The pilot attempted to return to the airport but determined that it was not possible and instead chose to land on the river.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft struck the water, dynamically inverted, and began to sink. The pilot suffered slight injuries, and one passenger sustained serious injuries; both were able to exit the aircraft unaided. The third occupant, seated in the right front seat, received a blow to the head, lost consciousness, and died from drowning. Survivors were rescued by local fishermen and taken to the hospital in Mitú. The accident occurred in visual meteorological conditions, and no post-impact fire occurred.
Aircraft Damage
The impact caused the following structural damage:
- Detachment of the cowling and engine doors
- Deformation of the engine firewall
- Dents in the engine oil pan
- Dents in the exhaust collector
- Fracture of the carburetor support
- Dents in the forward lower and right side of the fuselage
- Deformation of the left wing leading edge and fracture of the wingtip
- Deformation of the flaps
- Fracture and detachment of the anti-collision light fairing on the vertical stabilizer tip
The aircraft came to rest submerged and inverted in the river.
Investigation
The investigation by the Grupo de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación (GRIAA) determined that the accident was caused by the sudden fracture of the upper shaft of the fuel selector valve. This fracture, attributed to a material fatigue phenomenon, prevented fuel flow to the engine, leading to a total loss of power.