Synopsis
On 28 June 2021, at 13:10 local time, a Cessna A188B (registration HK2021) operating agricultural spray flights experienced a loss of lift after rotation during takeoff from runway 11 at Los Ripios airstrip, San Luis de Palenque, Casanare, Colombia. The pilot, the sole occupant, discharged the chemical load in emergency and the aircraft impacted a perimeter fence and the terrain, coming to rest 55 meters from the first impact. The pilot evacuated the aircraft uninjured. No fire occurred. The accident occurred in daylight and visual meteorological conditions.
Factual Information
The aircraft was conducting aerial spraying over a rice field located 4 NM southeast of the airstrip. It had completed four previous flights that day. For the fifth flight, the aircraft was loaded with 110 gallons of chemical product and 30 gallons of fuel. Ambient temperature was approximately 35°C. During the takeoff roll, the pilot raised the tail at about 50 mph, then at 60% of the runway length extended one notch of flaps, and at 80% extended two notches of flaps at 70–75 mph. The pilot rotated the aircraft but noted it was not gaining altitude. Speed remained below 60 mph. The pilot dumped the chemical load in emergency, but the aircraft did not gain performance. The aircraft struck a perimeter fence and the right wing tip impacted the ground, then slid onto the adjacent rice paddy.
Probable Causes and Contributing Factors
The investigation determined the serious incident occurred due to the following probable causes:
- Loss of lift and control in flight as a result of an inadequate takeoff technique consisting of a premature takeoff where the rotation speed was not reached, given the temperature, weight, and runway length conditions. The aircraft became airborne due to ground effect but once out of ground effect it could not continue accelerating and climbing.
- Deficient risk management by the operator for flight planning and operational execution.
Contributing factors included:
- Inappropriate use of flaps by the pilot: extending flaps during the takeoff roll caused a detriment in acceleration and delay in reaching takeoff speed, followed by partial flap retraction once airborne, causing loss of lift.
- High density altitude conditions.
- Lack of established procedures for runway analysis and determination of declared distances at the aerodromes operated by the company.
Safety Recommendations
The investigation issued three safety recommendations:
- REC. 01-202129-2 and REC. 02-202129-2 directed to the aircraft operator.
- REC. 03-202129-2 directed to the Civil Aviation Authority Secretariat.