What happened
On June 20, 2015, at approximately 18:05 UTC, a Cessna T-303, registration HK-4677G, crashed into the mountainous and forested terrain of the Serranía del Baudó in the Chocó department, Colombia. The aircraft was performing a private general aviation flight from Nuquí to Quibdó.
The flight departed Nuquí at 17:56 UTC. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot contacted Quibdó Tower to report an altitude of 1,500 feet and an estimated arrival time of 18:15 UTC. Following the loss of communication, an ALERFA signal was issued at 18:51 UTC, followed by a DETRESFA alert at 19:36 UTC after the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) activated.
Search operations by civil and military aircraft located the wreckage the following day. The impact, which occurred at a high speed and low angle, resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and a post-impact fire in the engine nacelles. The pilot was killed upon impact, while two passengers—an adult and a child—survived with minor injuries after abandoning the wreckage and being rescued two days later.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation established that the aircraft was being used for a mixed cargo and passenger flight, carrying loads of fish and coconuts. The investigation found that the internal configuration of the aircraft, designed for four passengers, had been modified for this unauthorized transport of goods.
Investigators noted that while the aircraft was airworthy and the pilot was highly qualified with extensive experience in multi-engine aircraft, the flight planning was flawed. The pilot attempted to operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) despite encountering Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) characterized by heavy cloud cover and localized rain showers. Furthermore, the aircraft was flying significantly below the Minimum Sector Altitude (MSA) required for that mountainous region, which is 6,900 feet.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) resulting from a loss of situational awareness while flying VFR in IMC conditions.
- The pilot's decision to continue the flight at low altitudes through mountainous terrain during adverse weather led to the collision.
- The aircraft was being operated in a configuration not permitted for its registration, as it was being used to transport cargo (fish and coconuts) alongside passengers.
- The impact of the cargo against the cockpit area contributed to the pilot's fatal injuries, while the cargo also acted as a buffer that helped protect the passengers from the impact forces.
- The aircraft was not equipped with flight recorders.