Synopsis
On August 6, 2017, at approximately 13:45 local time (18:45 UTC), a Cessna A188B, registration HK647, collided with a power line during a low-altitude agricultural spraying flight. The accident occurred in the Vereda San Vicente, municipality of Trinidad, Department of Casanare, Colombia, at coordinates N05°18'22.40" W071°22'26.03". The aircraft was operated by Servicio Aéreo del Oriente - SAO S.A.S. under a Special Aerial Work – Agricultural Aviation operation. The sole occupant, a pilot, suffered minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial structural damage. There was no post-impact fire. The accident happened in daylight and visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
Flight History
The pilot began operations at 04:30 local time. An initial 80-hectare rice spraying mission was canceled due to adverse weather. A subsequent 70-hectare rice spraying mission was reprogrammed from the company's auxiliary airstrip El Tesoro (ICAO: SQTJ). The aircraft repositioned from auxiliary base Miravista (ICAO: SQMV) to SQTJ without incident. At SQTJ, the aircraft was serviced with 40 gallons of fuel and 100 gallons of agrochemical.
At 12:30 local time, the aircraft departed and commenced spraying operations in a lot located parallel to El Tesoro airstrip. At 13:30, while executing the third flight, during a turn over the rice field, the main landing gear contacted an electrical power line. This caused the aircraft to pivot and lose altitude, impacting the terrain. The aircraft came to rest approximately 80 meters from the power line impact point, on a rice field adjacent to the airstrip. The pilot egressed unaided with minor injuries.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot, the only person on board, sustained minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its entire structure, including separation of the engine from its mount, sudden stoppage of the propeller, partial separation of the main landing gear, and damage to fungicide spray nozzles.
Other Damage
Minor damage to surrounding vegetation and damage to the inter-municipal power line, with approximate voltages of 45 kV and 132 kV.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 62, held a Commercial Airplane Pilot license (PCA) with ratings for single-engine land, instruments, and aerial application. His medical certificate was first class, valid until November 5, 2017. His last flight check in the Cessna 188 type was on December 1, 2016, with satisfactory results. Total flight hours according to logbook up to 1984 were 2,600 hours; the pilot reported approximately 20,000 total hours, though these were not officially registered. In the preceding 90 days he flew 70:58 hours, 30 days 30:55 hours, and 3 days 06:35 hours.
Aircraft Information
- Make/Model: Cessna A188B
- Serial Number: 18800983T
- Registration: HK647
- Airworthiness Certificate: No. 0000288
- Registration Certificate: R0007474
- Total Time: 4,464.29 hours
- Last Service: July 4, 2017 (50-hour service)
Engine: Continental IO-520-D, serial 159979-71D, total time 2,311.31 hours. Propeller: McCauley D3A34C401-C, serial 170070, total time 80.48 hours. The aircraft complied with applicable Airworthiness Directives and service bulletins. No pre-impact failures were found.
Meteorological Information
The accident site had no weather station. The accident occurred in daylight and VMC conditions. A sun position calculation for 13:45 local time showed the sun at azimuth 294.15° and elevation 60°, with the aircraft flying on a heading of approximately 030°. No sun glare was apparent along the flight path.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft came to rest at coordinates N05°18'22.40" W071°22'26.03", on a rice field adjacent to El Tesoro airstrip, approximately 30 meters left of Runway 01 threshold. The final attitude was slightly left-wing low (about 5°), with no rollover. The pilot reported a heading of 030° when striking the power line. The propeller blades showed twisting at the tips, indicating relatively low engine power at ground impact. The landing gear sustained partial fractures. Power line cables were found entangled in the landing gear. The aircraft had 30 gallons of fuel and 10 gallons of chemical product remaining. The power lever and propeller pitch lever were found at full forward; flaps were at 15° deflection.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by:
- Collision of the aircraft with a power line during low-altitude flight.
- Overconfidence and inattention during low-altitude flight leading to impact with an obstacle.
A contributing factor was the organization's deficient risk management during planning and execution of agricultural spraying flights.