What happened
On January 7, 2017, a Cessna A188A, registration HK714, operated by Aero Sanidad Agrícola (ASA S.A.S), crashed into the Caribbean Sea near La Punta de los Remedios, Colombia. The aircraft had departed from the "Shangri-La-La" airstrip in La Guajira at approximately 05:42 local time, bound for the "La Diva" airstrip to perform agricultural fungicide application services.
Roughly five minutes after takeoff, the aircraft disappeared from radio communications. Following an intensive search involving the Colombian Air Force and the National Navy, wreckage was located in the sea on January 13, 2017. The impact was characterized by high speed and a high angle of descent, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft. While the wreckage was recovered, the pilot was not located, and the investigation presumed fatal injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the flight sequence, the aircraft's maintenance status, and the pilot's medical history. The aircraft was found to be in a fully airworthy condition, with all maintenance and airworthiness directives up to date. The weight and balance were within manufacturer limits, and the engine and propeller were properly serviced.
Investigators analyzed GPS data from the onboard unit, which showed normal flight tracks without excessive changes in speed or heading prior to the loss of signal. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's medical records, noting a history of significant cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.