What happened
On December 18, 2021, a Piper 25-260, registration HK1405, was performing agricultural spraying operations at Finca El Zorro, near Ibaguidade, Colombia. The pilot had previously aborted two flights earlier that morning due to deteriorating weather conditions. At 10:55 local time, the pilot departed for a third attempt to complete the day's mission.
When the aircraft failed to return to base within the expected 20-minute window, the operator attempted to contact the pilot via mobile phone without success. Shortly thereafter, a client notified the company that an accident had occurred. Search efforts involving local emergency services and a Colombian Air Force helicopter located the wreckage in a canyon adjacent to the spraying site. The impact was high-energy, with the aircraft striking the terrain at approximately 110 knots. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the flight sequence, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the pilot's medical history. Investigators examined the engine, a Lycoming O-540-G1A5, and determined it had functioned correctly until the moment of impact. A reconstruction of the wreckage also confirmed that the flight controls were fully operational at the time of the accident.
Meteorological analysis using satellite imagery and GDAS models confirmed that the area was experiencing significant visibility-reducing phenomena, specifically fog, which fell below the minimum requirements for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) agricultural operations. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's medical records, noting a history of type 2 diabetes and other health factors.
Findings
- The aircraft collided with the terrain during a low-altitude maneuver.
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident included fog and low ceilings, which were below the legal minimums for the operation.
- The investigation could not definitively confirm the exact cause of the collision but identified two primary hypotheses: a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) caused by spatial disorientation due to inadvertent entry into IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions), or sudden pilot incapacitation related to the pilot's medical history.
- The pilot was unable to take any evasive action prior to the impact.
Safety action
- The operator was advised to reinforce training regarding the strict adherence to weather minimums and the interpretation of meteorological reports to ensure all spraying operations remain within VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions).
- It was recommended that crews maintain rigorous control of their physical health, including the management of medical treatments and routine health monitoring, to prevent human factor-related incidents.