What happened
On November 15, 2019, a Cessna A188B, registration HK2108, was performing an agricultural spray flight operation from the Los Milagros airstrip in Maní, Casanare. The aircraft was scheduled to ferry from Los Milagros to the El Médano airstrip to begin solid fertilizer application. At the time of departure, the aircraft was loaded with 60 gallons of fuel and twelve fuel jerrycans placed inside the chemical hopper.
During the takeoff roll on runway 07, the pilot performed a premature rotation before the aircraft had reached the necessary airspeed for a safe climb. This resulted in an insufficient climb gradient and a loss of lift. Faced with a lack of altitude gain, the pilot executed a controlled forced landing into an unprepared rice field. After the initial impact, the aircraft struck a group of trees, causing the aircraft to partially roll onto its side at a 4/5 angle, supported by the vegetation. The pilot sustained minor injuries and evacuated the aircraft successfully. The aircraft suffered substantial structural damage, including a partially detached right wing and deformed engine mounts.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the aerodynamic performance during takeoff and the cargo configuration. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and found discrepancies in the traceability of certain components and flight hour logs. The investigation also reviewed the operator's safety management, noting that the company lacked authorization to transport dangerous goods and did not have standardized procedures for pilots to verify takeoff speeds using instruments rather than visual cues or "feel."
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of lift during the initial climb, triggered by premature rotation before reaching sufficient takeoff speed.
- The operator failed to manage operational risks by allowing the unauthorized transport of dangerous goods (fuel jerrycans) in the aircraft.
- A significant contributing factor was the inability to reduce the aircraft's weight during the emergency; the presence of the fuel jerrycans in the chemical hopper prevented the pilot from performing an emergency hopper dump to regain lift.