Accident Overview
On 17 April 2020, at approximately 08:10 local time (13:10 UTC), a Piper PA25-235 agricultural aircraft, registration HK638, collided with terrain near Finca Providencia, Vereda Brisas del Mare Mare, Municipality of Orocué, Casanare, Colombia. The aircraft was operated by Aeroagropecuaria del Norte – Aeropenort LTDA. The flight was a scheduled ferry movement from Minpro airstrip (IATA: 9NX) to El Recreo airstrip (ICAO: SQEQ) in San Luis de Palenque, Casanare, without agricultural product.
Flight History
Earlier that day, from 05:40 local time, the aircraft had conducted eight aerial application flights over rice fields, applying chemical product. Due to wind conditions, operations were suspended and the pilot returned to Minpro airstrip at 07:44 local time. The pilot then decided to ferry the aircraft. The aircraft was refueled with 36 gallons of fuel; no chemical was loaded. The pilot and a ground assistant boarded, with the assistant seated on the right side of the cockpit.
Accident Sequence
The pilot configured the aircraft with 15° of flaps, aligned with runway 23, and initiated takeoff. At approximately 65 mph, the aircraft rotated and climbed. Upon reaching about 300 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot commenced a left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost altitude and subsequently impacted the terrain. The aircraft experienced dynamic rollover during the collision sequence. There was no post-impact fire.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot suffered minor injuries; the other occupant sustained serious injuries. Both were ejected from the aircraft and came to rest on the ground. Local residents assisted and arranged ground transport to a medical facility. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The investigation determined that the accident occurred due to the following probable causes: loss of control in flight following an aerodynamic stall after takeoff, caused primarily by low speed during a steep turn, power reduction, and flap retraction during initial climb; and deficient risk management for flight planning and execution by the operator.
Contributing factors identified were: operation of the aircraft with the center of gravity beyond the aft limit due to the presence of an additional person in the cockpit; operation with a person on board beyond the pilot in contravention of design limitations; and execution of a takeoff with a tailwind.
Meteorological and Environmental Conditions
Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The accident occurred during daylight hours.