What happened
On June 22, 2020, a Piper PA25-260 aircraft, registration HK-1042, operated by Servicio Aéreo del Oriente SAO, S.A.S., departed from Palma Sola airfield (SKSZ) to perform agricultural spraying over rice and plantain crops. The mission involved applying fungicides and insecticides over 11-hectare plots located approximately five kilometers from the airfield.
After completing 22 spraying passes, the pilot attempted to maneuver for a subsequent pass. During this low-altitude maneuver, the left wing of the aircraft struck a tree. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate around its vertical axis, leading to a total loss of control. The aircraft subsequently struck the terrain, resulting in the destruction of the airframe. Although local residents managed to extract the pilot from the wreckage, the pilot succumbed to their injuries shortly after being moved to safety.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight history, aircraft maintenance records, and operational procedures of the operator. Investigators analyzed GPS tracks, which confirmed the sequence of the 22 completed passes. The investigation also reviewed the company's safety management systems and operational planning protocols.
Technical analysis of the wreckage revealed significant structural damage to the fuselage, engine, and propeller. The investigation found that the aircraft was airworthy and the pilot held valid medical and flight certifications at the time of the accident. Meteorological conditions were reported as visual and appropriate for the operation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision of the aircraft with a tree, which substantially altered the flight path and fractured the wing structure, leading to a loss of control and subsequent ground impact.
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness due to the monotonous nature of performing 22 consecutive low-altitude passes.
- A perception error occurred when the pilot incorrectly estimated the vertical separation required between the aircraft and surrounding natural obstacles.
- Operational planning failures were identified, specifically the lack of a formal process to identify natural or artificial obstacles for each specific plot being sprayed.
- The company lacked strict procedures for evaluating flight trajectories and minimum altitudes for different crop plots.
Safety action
- The operator was advised to implement strict procedures for pre-flight planning to evaluate hazards for each specific plot and apply risk management.
- Recommendations were made to establish a policy where spraying is scheduled for a single plot at a time rather than multiple plots simultaneously to reduce inherent risks.
- The operator should improve planning by maintaining detailed records, including maps and charts, that highlight the location of all natural and artificial obstacles.