What happened
On August 29, 2018, an Airtractor AT-301, registration HK-4615, departed from the Los Almendros runway in Carepa, Antioquia, for an agricultural spraying mission. During the second flight of the day, the pilot noticed light smoke in the cockpit and perceived a loss of engine power. Believing a return to the base was impossible, the pilot decided to evacuate the chemical payload and execute an emergency landing in a nearby banana plantation.
While performing the forced landing, the aircraft struck a ditch, causing the right main landing gear to detach. The aircraft then impacted a perimeter fence, which altered its trajectory and brought it to a stop. The pilot evacuated the aircraft independently and sustained minor injuries, specifically severe lower back pain.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the cause of the smoke and the pilot's decision-making process. Maintenance inspections revealed that a battery cable had been rubbing against the aircraft structure. This friction had worn away the protective insulation, causing a small electrical short circuit that produced the smoke observed in the cockpit.
Investigators found that the pilot failed to follow established emergency procedures. Instead of following electrical fire protocols, the pilot mistakenly applied engine failure procedures. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the pilot had previously received approximately 18 verbal and written warnings regarding improper conduct during flight operations.