Accident Sequence
On April 20, 2023, at 09:13 HL, a Piper PA-28-180 aircraft, registration HK1577G, departed from Guaymaral Airport (SKGY) runway 11 on a visual flight rules (VFR) training flight. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot. After takeoff, during the climb to 400 ft, the crew completed the checklist and initiated a left turn to proceed laterally to the north highway.
While abeam the Andes toll booth on the north highway of Bogotá, the crew observed a progressive loss of power on the RPM gauge. The instructor took control, set the mixture to full rich, and activated the electric fuel pump in an attempt to regain power. The instructor decided to return to Guaymaral and executed a left turn. Subsequently, the engine power exhibited oscillating loss and recovery.
At 09:16 HL, the aircraft began to lose altitude and the stall warning activated. The instructor maintained control, sighted an unprepared field to the left, and declared an emergency to air traffic control (ATC). During the initial ground contact, the aircraft collided with a wire fence, which aided deceleration but caused substantial damage. The aircraft continued across sloping terrain until it came to a stop. The crew evacuated unassisted with minor injuries and later received medical attention.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-180, registration HK1577G. The flight was a training operation under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The instructor and student pilot were the only occupants.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation determined that the aircraft suffered a power loss of indeterminate origin. Examination of the wreckage, including the engine and fuel system, did not reveal a definitive mechanical failure. The investigation noted that the crew did not follow the manufacturer's established emergency checklists.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The probable causes identified are:
- Collision with a fence during an attempted emergency landing in an unprepared field following a loss of engine power after takeoff.
- Engine failure of indeterminate origin, likely due to inappropriate air-fuel mixture regulation and inappropriate emergency procedures by not adhering to the manufacturer's checklists.
Contributing factor:
- Lack of standardization at the training center regarding proper mixture selection/regulation for different operating conditions and techniques for identifying and correcting different types of engine failures.