What happened
On June 22, 2022, at approximately 15:15 local time, a Cessna A188B, registration HK2324, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations over a cornfield in Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba. The aircraft was performing low-altitude passes using a carousel technique to apply chemical products to a 20-hectare plot.
During the final stages of the application, the aircraft's right main landing gear struck a medium-voltage electrical line. The impact caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, resulting in a collision with the terrain. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including the detachment of the main landing gear structures, partial separation of the engine mount, and propeller deformation. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was able to evacuate the aircraft uninjured. There was no post-crash fire, though the impact caused damage to the surrounding crops and severed the electrical lines.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's mechanical condition, and the pilot's operational procedures. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that all maintenance requirements had been met. The engine and propeller were found to be functioning correctly prior to the impact.
Analysis of the pilot's actions revealed that while the pilot was aware of the power lines, a momentary lapse in situational awareness occurred. The investigation utilized the HFACS framework to identify human factors, noting that the pilot's attention was likely diverted by the task of executing turns and monitoring the GPS for the next programmed pass. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the operator's safety management systems, finding that the organization's risk assessment processes for specific spray plots were insufficient.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision of the aircraft with electrical power lines during low-altitude maneuvering.
- The pilot experienced a period of inattention and overconfidence, likely caused by a momentary fixation on the GPS unit while preparing for the next spray pass.
- Environmental factors, such as the power lines blending into the visual landscape, contributed to the difficulty in maintaining constant obstacle identification.
- The operator's risk management procedures were inadequate, specifically regarding the identification of hazards within individual agricultural plots prior to flight operations.