Summary
On April 20, 2023, at 17:10 local time (22:10 UTC), a Cessna A188B agricultural aircraft, registration HK1635, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Paz de Ariporo, Casanare, Colombia. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft unassisted. The accident occurred in daylight and visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
Flight Narrative
The aircraft was operated by an agricultural aviation company. The pilot had recently joined the company and was flying the HK1635 for the first time. The day's operations began at the Zamar airstrip with a reconnaissance and test flight. At 16:30 local time, the pilot prepared the aircraft for a relocation flight to the El Dólar airstrip, approximately 10 nautical miles away. The aircraft was fueled with 54 gallons of fuel and carried no chemicals.
After a normal takeoff from runway 04 at 16:40, the pilot climbed to 1,200 feet. During the cruise, the pilot perceived a reduced airspeed of approximately 90 mph IAS. The aircraft maintained a positive pitch angle but exhibited suboptimal aerodynamic performance. The pilot noted no abnormal engine parameters. Another company aircraft, also relocating, overtook the HK1635. Approaching El Dólar, the pilot considered returning or landing but was unfamiliar with nearby airstrips. He increased RPM to maintain speed, but aerodynamic performance did not improve.
Seeing the other aircraft had landed, the pilot decided to land at El Dólar. He crossed the runway and entered a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 24, with speed at 70 mph IAS. He extended flaps in increments. During the turn to final, he added power to maintain speed but noted the aircraft was losing altitude and speed. He then selected an open field for a forced landing. At that point, he heard engine indications suggestive of 'drowning' and activated the auxiliary fuel pump.
Forced Landing and Damage
The pilot executed a controlled landing in the unprepared field at approximately 55 mph IAS with maximum power. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear struck a mound of earth, causing it to separate and the aircraft to veer left. The aircraft came to rest 60 meters from the initial ground contact point. The left wing sustained substantial structural damage, and the engine stopped abruptly. No fire occurred.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause was the inadequate application of the aircraft's flight attitude during cruise and erroneous landing configuration, which led to a loss of altitude and speed on final approach, forcing a landing in an unprepared field.