What happened
On December 29, 2015, at approximately 15:30 local time, a Cessna A188, registration HK1432, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a palm oil plantation near San Martín, Cesar. The aircraft had departed from the "Hipilandia" airfield to begin its first spraying run of the day.
During the initial climb phase, the aircraft failed to achieve optimal aerodynamic performance and struck the terrain approximately 120 meters from the runway heading 36. The aircraft slid 5/0 meters across uneven ground before coming to a halt. The impact caused significant structural damage, including a fractured and separated tail cone, a broken right landing gear, and deformation of the right wing and propeller blades. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped the wreckage uninjured, and no post-impact fire occurred.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the flight planning and execution of the aerial application mission. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the engine and propeller were in normal working order and the aircraft was airworthy.
However, the investigation revealed critical failures in operational oversight and pilot performance. The pilot had exceeded the maximum allowable flight hours for a 90-day period by 10 hours. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot was operating without checklists and lacked sufficient knowledge regarding the aircraft's Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) and the company's General Operations Manual (MGO). During the takeoff roll, the pilot also implemented an unauthorized flap configuration change, moving from the second set of flaps to full flaps during the ground run.
Findings
- Excessive payload prevented the aircraft from achieving the necessary climb rate.
- Failure to perform weight and balance calculations prior to departure.
- Improper takeoff technique, specifically rotating the aircraft at a speed lower than required for effective lift.
- Inadequate operational supervision by the company's flight operations department.
- Non-compliance with flight time limitations for the pilot.
- Lack of essential cockpit resources, such as operational checklists.