Summary
On 6 March 2023, at approximately 07:25 local time (12:25 UTC), a Cessna A188B aircraft, registration HK2153, operated by ASA S.A.S., crashed during an agricultural spraying operation near Ciénaga, Magdalena, Colombia. The aircraft was destroyed by a subsequent fire, but the pilot, the only person on board, escaped uninjured.
Flight History
The aircraft was scheduled to perform six spraying flights over banana plantations at two farms, Don Said and Donama. After completing two flights at Don Said, the aircraft returned to the company's base at La Amalia airstrip for refueling and product change. At 07:12 local, it departed for the first of four planned flights at Donama, carrying 160 gallons of fungicide and fertilizer and 32 gallons of fuel.
During the operation, the pilot executed a "carrusel" spraying pattern, completing four passes and releasing approximately 80 gallons of product. While turning over mountainous terrain to begin a 45°–225° procedure turn back to the field, the aircraft experienced an unexpected descent. The pilot applied maximum power and activated the emergency dump to jettison the remaining product, but was unable to regain altitude or airspeed. The aircraft struck the ground on a mountainous boundary at coordinates N10°58'20.03'' W074°10'17.02'', at an elevation of 495 feet MSL, with a heading of 242°.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot, aged 28 with a Commercial Pilot License and 1,426.47 total flight hours (843 hours on type), was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft before a fire consumed approximately 90% of the structure. The propeller blades were bent and showed evidence of power at impact. Minor environmental damage occurred from the fire.
Investigation
The Colombian Dirección Técnica de Investigación de Accidentes (DIACC) investigated the accident. The aircraft, a Cessna A188B, was found to have no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. The pilot's medical certificate was valid, and he had recently passed a proficiency check on 14 February 2023. Weather conditions were daylight and visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
Probable Cause and Contributing Factor
The DIACC determined the probable cause to be an aerodynamic stall resulting from a rapid loss of lift when the critical angle of attack was exceeded during a tight turn at low altitude, while the pilot maneuvered over mountainous terrain for product application.
A contributing factor was the pilot's inadequate decision making in executing the procedure turn over mountainous terrain, contrary to the operator's procedures, which specified turning to the opposite side free of natural obstacles.
Safety Recommendations
The investigation issued three operational safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar occurrences.