What happened
On February 10, 2017, a Dromader PZL M-18 aircraft, registration HK-510 and 5102, was performing agricultural spraying operations near the Los Cedros Aerodrome in Carepa, Antioquia. During the second flight of the day, the pilot observed that the hydraulic pressure indicator had dropped to zero. While the failure did not immediately compromise flight controls, the pilot recognized the high probability that the aircraft's flaps and brakes would be inoperable upon landing.
After completing the remaining spraying tasks to reduce the aircraft's weight, the pilot notified the control tower of the emergency condition and requested an approach to runway 33. The aircraft landed under controlled conditions; however, due to the lack of hydraulic pressure, the pilot was unable to utilize the brakes or maintain directional control on the ground. The aircraft traveled approximately 500 meters down the runway before veering to the right and exiting the paved surface, eventually coming to a stop in a drainage canal beyond the safety area.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of directional control and the technical cause of the hydraulic failure. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the aircraft had undergone a 50-hour service in January 2017. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions, noting that the pilot followed proper procedures by notifying the company and the tower, and by offloading the chemical payload to assist with the landing.
Efforts to identify the specific origin of the hydraulic failure were unsuccessful. Although the hydraulic pump was taken into custody for examination, the investigation could not complete a technical analysis because the maintenance facility tasked with the inspection was unable to perform the service and returned the component without findings.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered substantial damage, including a broken propeller, engine component deformation, and structural damage to both the left and right wings and the landing gear.
- The pilot was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft on his own.
- The primary cause of the excursion was the loss of hydraulic pressure, which rendered the braking and directional control systems inoperable during the landing roll.
- The specific cause of the hydraulic system failure could not be determined.