Flight Summary
On 10 August 2023, a Cessna A188B, registration HK1729, was scheduled for agricultural spraying operations from the airstrip at Finca la Esperancita, Puerto Gaitán, Meta, Colombia (coordinates N 4°19'55" O 72°00'55"). The aircraft was to perform 11 flights over 225 hectares of soybean crop. The pilot arrived at 05:15 local time.
Aircraft and Pilot
The single-engine Cessna A188B was operated by an agricultural spraying company. The aircraft was loaded with 150 gallons of insecticide and 36 gallons of fuel (18 gallons per tank) for each flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, held the appropriate credentials.
Accident Sequence
After completing four uneventful flights, the aircraft was prepared for the fifth flight with the same load. The pilot departed at approximately 07:20 HL. During the initial climb after takeoff, at about 100 feet above ground level and 85 knots indicated airspeed, the pilot initiated a right turn toward the work area. During the turn, the aircraft lost engine power and airspeed, decreasing to approximately 70 knots. The pilot leveled the wings but was unable to regain altitude or speed. He identified a soybean field and performed an emergency landing. Upon contact with the crop, the main landing gear became entangled, causing sudden deceleration. The aircraft rotated about its transverse axis, coming to rest with the nose in the crop and the fuselage vertical. The pilot evacuated the aircraft without assistance and moved away due to fuel leakage; no fire occurred. The event occurred at 07:40 HL in daylight and visual meteorological conditions.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the serious incident was caused by an emergency landing in an unprepared field following loss of altitude and speed due to decreased lift caused by the pilot's inadequate maneuver during a turn in initial climb, at maximum operating weight, low speed, and excessive bank.