Flight Background
On 5 August 2017, a Piper PA25-260, registration HK1784, was scheduled for aerial fumigation operations from the company's main base at Villa Verónica airstrip (SQVB) in Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia. The pilot reported that the day began at approximately 06:30 local time. After routine preflight checks at SQVB, the aircraft departed for Renso airstrip (SQRX), about 25 nautical miles away (22 minutes flight time), to spray fungicide on 85 hectares of rice at the "Los Cobos" farm.
After confirming suitable conditions at SQRX, the pilot completed seven application flights to the farm over about three hours without incident. Following the spraying, the engine was shut down for 30 minutes while the pilot handled administrative tasks and planned the return flight to SQVB.
At 10:45 local time, the pilot departed SQRX for SQVB. Seven minutes into the return flight, at an altitude of 500 feet AGL, the pilot noticed a burning rubber smell in the cockpit. He checked the ammeter and alternator, which appeared normal. Shortly after, a mild vibration began. The pilot decided to look for a suitable forced landing area and determined he was near Villa Isabella airstrip (SQVS). As he continued toward SQVS, the vibration intensified, followed by a loud explosion in the engine accompanied by fire and smoke that partially filled the cockpit. The engine lost all power.
Unable to reach SQVS, the pilot executed a forced landing in an unprepared rice field adjacent to the airstrip. During the landing roll, the aircraft nosed over due to the soft terrain, causing substantial structural damage. The in-flight fire, located on the left side of the engine, was extinguished by the waterlogged field.
After the aircraft came to rest, the pilot released his restraints and evacuated through the left window without assistance. He was uninjured. Local residents came to his aid.
Injuries
The sole pilot was uninjured.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage from the dynamic rollover. Structural damage affected the entire airframe, including the separation of the No. 4 cylinder from the engine, structural damage to the right wing, horizontal stabilizers, and significant damage to the empennage near its attachment to the cabin. The landing gear remained attached. The in-flight fire damaged the left engine and fuselage area, affecting the engine cowling, tubes, wiring, and accessories section as well as the firewall.
Other Damage
Minor damage to the rice crop and surrounding vegetation occurred due to fuel and oil spillage.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 61, held a Commercial Pilot License (PCA) and a valid first-class medical certificate. He had accumulated 2,557 total flight hours, including 711 hours on the accident aircraft type. His last proficiency check on the aircraft was on 2 June 2017, with satisfactory results.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA25-260, serial number 25-7556231, registration HK1784. It had a total of 4,684 flight hours. The last 50-hour service was performed on 31 July 2017. The engine was a Lycoming O-540-G1A5, serial L-23836-40A, with 2,357:56 hours since new and 263 hours since major overhaul in December 2016. The propeller was a McCauley 1A200-FA8452.
Meteorological Information
Meteorological conditions at the accident site were not recorded due to lack of nearby stations. Post-accident photographs indicate visibility greater than 10 km, scattered and broken cloud layers at approximately 8,000 feet. Weather was not a factor in the accident.
Other Information
The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder. Communications and navigation aids were not relevant to the accident.
Accident Location
The accident occurred at approximately 10:53 local time, at coordinates N05°17'57.48" W071°20'36.52", about 8 meters to the left of runway 06 threshold at Villa Isabella airstrip (SQVS). The airstrip is 800 meters long and 10 meters wide, elevation 470 feet.
The investigation was conducted by the Colombian accident investigation authority (GRIAA). Notification was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as the state of manufacture.