What happened
On March 20, 2022, an Ayres S2R-T34, registration HK3282, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a banana plantation in Turbo, Antioquia, Colombia. The aircraft was executing its ninth pass over the field when the pilot initiated a steep right-hand turn to realign with the crop area.
During the initial phase of this maneuver, the aircraft's right horizontal stabilizer struck a tree. The impact caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. Although the pilot activated the Emergency Release System (ERS) to jettison the chemical payload, the aircraft could not be recovered. The aircraft struck the ground approximately 300 meters beyond the initial tree strike, resulting in substantial structural damage to the airframe, engine, and propeller. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was found unconscious by the operator's rescue brigade.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's performance, and the operator's safety management systems. Investigators inspected the engine and propeller, finding no evidence of mechanical failure; the engine was producing power at the time of impact. Fuel samples were also tested and showed no signs of contamination.
The investigation focused on the flight maneuvers and environmental factors, specifically looking at the pilot's technique during low-altitude turns and the potential impact of solar glare. The investigation also reviewed the operator's Safety Management System (SMS) regarding obstacle identification and terrain analysis.