Accident Overview
On 19 August 2016, at approximately 10:30 UTC, a Cessna A188B agricultural aircraft, registration HK2118, operated by Compañía Aeroagrícola de los Llanos AGILL S.A.S., was conducting an aerial spraying flight over a rice field near Orocué, Casanare, Colombia. The aircraft had departed from Los Milagros airstrip (IATA: LOM), located 23 nautical miles west of the accident site. After two previous spraying flights without incident, the third flight of the day involved applying solid fertilizer to a crop at Finca Minera Providencia.
Engine Power Loss
During the second pass over the field, at an altitude of approximately 10 meters, the engine lost power, dropping to 1000 RPM. The pilot applied maximum power but received no response. Facing an emergency, the pilot decided to land immediately on the same field. The aircraft was configured with full flaps, and an attempt was made to jettison the solid load.
Emergency Landing and Dynamic Rollover
Upon touchdown, the soft terrain caused the landing gear to pivot, resulting in a dynamic rollover that inverted the aircraft. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries and evacuated the aircraft with assistance from local residents. The accident was not reported to aviation authorities until eight days later, and the wreckage was moved without authorization, preventing field investigation.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including deformation of the vertical stabilizer, cockpit structure, and propeller blades, as well as partial separation of the engine from the firewall. Minor damage was reported to the rice crop.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified the following causal factors:
- Organizational deficiencies in the operator's maintenance and operations processes, including a lack of management and inadequate follow-up of repetitive engine failure reports.
- Loss of engine power during low-level flight due to an undetermined fuel system failure.
- Dynamic rollover of the aircraft during an emergency landing on an unprepared field, exacerbated by the lack of follow-up on repetitive engine issues.
No post-accident fire occurred.