Two fatalities in Piper 28-235 crash caused by engine failure and low visibility

Casualties unknown • Cogua, CO

A flight training mission in Cundinamarca ended in tragedy when a Piper 28-235 struck a tree following an engine power loss and loss of visual references.

What happened

On November 30, 2017, a Piper 28-235, registration HK1573G, departed from Guaymaral Aerodrome (SKGY) for a scheduled flight training mission. The flight, conducted by an aviation school, was intended to cover the instrument training phase within the SKE25 training zone.

During the flight, the aircraft experienced a significant technical issue. The instructor pilot requested priority landing at Guaymaral and notified Air Traffic Control (ATC) that firefighting assistance was required. As the aircraft attempted to return, it suffered a loss of altitude and airspeed. Near the Zipaquirá VOR, the instructor decided to divert to the Las Acacias emergency landing strip (SKAI) in Nemocón.

While approaching the emergency strip, the aircraft entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) due to heavy low-level fog. The aircraft subsequently struck a tree and crashed, resulting in the fatalities of both the instructor and the student pilot.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by an engine power loss resulting from fuel starvation due to oxide buildup in the fuel selector filters, which led to a loss of altitude and subsequent spatial disorientation when the aircraft entered low-level fog.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-11-30 PA-28-235C accident near Cogua, CO?

A flight training mission in Cundinamarca ended in tragedy when a Piper 28-235 struck a tree following an engine power loss and loss of visual references.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-11-30 involved a PA-28-235C, registration HK1573, at Cogua, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by an engine power loss resulting from fuel starvation due to oxide buildup in the fuel selector filters, which led to a loss of altitude and subsequent spatial disorientation when the aircraft entered low-level fog.

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