Flight History
On May 29, 2016, at approximately 11:00 local time (16:00 UTC), a Cessna A188B, registration HK2830, operated by AEROPENORT S.A.S., was conducting aerial fumigation over oil palm plantations near Puerto Wilches, Santander, Colombia. The flight originated from Las Cruces airfield (SKRU) in Sabana de Torres, with a stop at Aguas Claras airstrip (SQAK) for refueling and loading 150 gallons of chemical product and 30 gallons of fuel. The aircraft then proceeded to the designated lots, located about 16.3 nautical miles from Aguas Claras. After completing the second fumigation pass over a 230-hectare lot, the pilot initiated a left climbing turn to reposition for the next pass. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered an adverse aerodynamic condition, resulting in a nearly vertical impact with a building inside the plantation. The aircraft came to rest inverted at coordinates N7°14'17.72" W73°47'50.54". No post-impact fire occurred.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, a Cessna A188B (serial number C18803795T), was manufactured in 1981. Its most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on May 5, 2016, with a total airframe time of 3,402.35 hours. The engine was a Continental IO-520-D (serial 566163) with 4,741.09 total hours; last 100-hour inspection on May 11, 2016. The propeller was a McCauley D2A34C205C (serial 140551) with 411.19 total hours. No pre-existing functional system issues were found that contributed to the accident.
Pilot Information
The 27-year-old pilot held a Commercial Pilot Certificate and a valid medical certificate. He had accumulated 520.26 total flight hours, with 197.24 hours on the Cessna A188B. His last check ride on the A188B was on November 3, 2015. He completed commercial pilot training on July 31, 2014, and received agricultural aviation instruction on a Piper PA-18 from January 16 to March 5, 2015 (41.00 hours). He began agricultural flying on November 6, 2015, with SAMA LTDA, accumulating 128.00 hours, and later worked for AEROPENORT S.A.S. from January 20 to May 23, 2016, logging 143.18 hours.
Damage
The aircraft sustained significant structural damage: separation of the propeller and engine, damage to the chemical tank, cabin damage including windshield and access panels, central fuselage damage at wing attachment points, rear fuselage damage to bulkheads and stringers, empennage deformation, and wing damage to leading edges and panels. The building impacted was a conference room, causing roof collapse and damage to electrical conduits and furniture. The pilot suffered minor injuries.
Meteorological Conditions
Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no nearby weather station, but conditions were adequate for fumigation operations.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the accident resulted from the pilot's execution of an excessive bank at low speed and low altitude, causing a loss of aerodynamic lift and the aircraft's descent to the ground.