Flight Background
On 07 January 2017, Aero Sanidad Agrícola–ASA S.A.S. scheduled an aerial spraying flight with a Cessna A188A, registration HK714, with one pilot on board. The aircraft was positioned at Shangri-La-La airstrip (9DP) near Riohacha, La Guajira. The mission involved applying fungicide to 135 hectares of banana plantation at the "Don Diego" farm in the Buritaca district, Magdalena. For this operation, the aircraft was to ferry from Shangri-La-La to La Diva airstrip (SNM), located 32 NM to the west, with an estimated flight time of 24 minutes. At La Diva, the aircraft would refuel with fungicide for the spraying work, then return to Shangri-La-La.
The flight commenced at 05:30 local time. The aircraft was fueled with 18 gallons of fuel (total 36 gallons), providing approximately two hours of endurance; no fungicide was loaded. The pilot performed pre-flight checks and engine tests without anomalies, programmed the GPS for La Diva, and taxied to runway 28 for departure.
At approximately 05:42 local time, the pilot departed from runway 28 of Shangri-La-La and made routine reports to ground personnel via the company’s internal radio frequency, with no issues reported.
About ten minutes after departure, when no position report was received, company personnel attempted to contact the pilot without success. The technical representative at La Diva, who was expecting the arrival of HK714, alerted the company after confirming the aircraft had not arrived. Multiple company aircraft conducted aerial searches, and ground searches were initiated, but no trace of the aircraft was found on 07 January. The Colombian Air Force joined the search without success.
On 08 January, local fishermen discovered aircraft debris on the beach. Search efforts then focused on the sea with assistance from the Colombian Navy. From 09 to 13 January, the main wreckage was located in the Caribbean Sea at coordinates N11°19'24.65" – W073°13'39.47", near the mouth of the Michiragua stream, 5 km NE of La Punta de Los Remedios, 204 meters from the coast, and 11.95 km NW of Shangri-La airstrip. Recovery operations retrieved some components, but the pilot was not found.
The Colombian Accident Investigation Authority (GRIAA) was notified on the day of the accident and dispatched an investigator. Notifications were sent to the NTSB (USA) as State of Design and Manufacture, and to the TSB as State of Manufacture of the GPS component.
Injuries
INDETERMINED. The pilot’s injuries could not be established because the pilot has not been located as of the final report. It is unknown whether any post-accident injuries occurred. The investigation presumed the pilot suffered fatal injuries.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft struck the sea and sank to the seabed, resulting in total destruction.
Other Damage
None reported.
Personal Information
The pilot, 56 years old, held a Colombian Commercial Pilot license (PCA) with ratings for single-engine land aircraft up to 5700 kg, instrument rating, and agricultural aviation. License issued 24 September 1985. Last medical certificate issued 14 July 2016 with restriction for reading glasses. Last company proficiency check on 08 February 2016 in Cessna 188, with satisfactory results. Total flight time reported by company: approximately 25,000 hours; time on company aircraft (HK714): 40:18 hours; last 90 days: 40:18 hours; last 30 days: 40:18 hours; last 3 days: 03:24 hours.
He had previously worked as an aerial application pilot on Cessna 188 from 1987-1999 in Aguachica, César, and from 2000-2016 in El Yopal, Casanare. He joined ASA on 02 December 2016. On 14 December 2016, he underwent a company occupational health exam, which included recommendations for continued medical management, cardiovascular follow-up, physical activity, weight control, and monitoring of hypertension.
His training at ASA included: induction on 02 December; familiarization flights and GPS training from 03-14 December; and a final GPS evaluation for spraying on 14 December, after which he had 40:18 flight hours on HK714.
Probable Cause
Loss of control in flight due to probable sudden pilot incapacitation, possibly resulting from a pre-existing cardiovascular condition, as determined by the investigation.