What happened
On April 20, 2023, at 17:10 local time, a Cessna A188B, registration HK1635, was engaged in a ferry flight from Zamar to El Dólar in the municipality of Paz de Ariporo, Casanary, Colombia. The aircraft was being operated for specialized agricultural work.
During the flight, the pilot noted that the aircraft was maintaining a low airspeed of approximately 90 mph. While the engine parameters appeared normal, the aircraft exhibited poor aerodynamic performance. As the pilot approached the destination, they performed a left turn for traffic on runway 24. During this maneuver, the pilot applied flaps in two stages. However, the aircraft failed to maintain speed and began losing altitude.
Faced with the loss of energy, the pilot opted for a controlled forced landing in an unprepared field near the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear struck a mound of earth, causing the gear to detach and the aircraft to veer. The aircraft sustained substantial structural damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot, who had only five hours of experience in this specific aircraft type, evacuated the scene without any injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight history, the pilot's experience, and the mechanical condition of the aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft was airworthy and that the engine, propeller, and flight controls were functioning correctly.
Investigators focused on the pilot's recent integration into the company, noting that the pilot had been hired only days before the accident and had not received a formal induction program regarding the company's specific operational procedures. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the lack of coordinated flight planning between the two aircraft flying the same route that day.