What happened
On March 14, 2022, at approximately 07:10 local time, an Aviodeco AC-05-Pijao, registration HK-3631, was preparing for its fourth agricultural spraying flight at La Ceiba Aerodrome in Ciénaga, Magdalena, Colombia. The aircraft had already completed three successful spraying missions and had been refueled and replenished with chemical products for the upcoming task.
As the pilot began taxiing from the refueling platform toward runway heading 36, the left main landing gear collapsed after the aircraft had traveled only about two meters. The sudden failure caused the aircraft to tilt sharply to the left, resulting in the lower portion of the left wing making contact with the ramp surface. The pilot was able to shut down the engine and evacuate the aircraft without injury. The aircraft remained supported by the spray system pump, which prevented further damage to the propeller or fuselage.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the DIACC focused on the structural integrity of the landing gear and maintenance practices. Investigators performed visual inspections, micro-fractography, and chemical mapping of the failed component. The analysis revealed a total fracture of the left main landing gear leg at the external attachment bolts.
Technical examinations identified that the steel material had undergone significant degradation. The investigation examined maintenance logs, torque application during component installation, and the impact of chemical exposure from agricultural spraying operations. The inquiry also looked into the manufacturer's maintenance manual regarding inspection intervals and non-destructive testing (NDT) procedures.