Accident Overview
On 19 December 2023, a Piper PA-32R-300T (registration HK4773G) operated a private flight from Vanguardia Airport (SKVV) in Villavicencio to Barrancominas (SKBM), Guainía, Colombia. The aircraft landed at Barrancominas at 11:40 local time without incident and was scheduled to depart at 12:15 for the return flight to Villavicencio.
Occupants and Load
Three people were on board: one pilot and two passengers, including a minor. Approximately 320 kg of combined occupants and cargo, including a load of fish, were carried.
Flight and Emergency
The aircraft took off from runway 27 at 12:15. During the climb, after reaching 70 kt and rotating, the pilot climbed to 400 ft and turned left toward Villavicencio. Five to ten seconds after the turn, the pilot detected a burning smell and white smoke of low intensity emanating from the right pedestal. He decided to return to the departure aerodrome and initiated a left turn, during which the smoke intensified, restricting visibility.
To disperse the smoke, the pilot opened the side window, but the smoke and heat increased. He then opened the emergency window, improving visibility and revealing a possible fire in the cockpit. The pilot assessed that landing in the area was unsafe due to trees, low visibility, and risk to populated areas. He chose to ditch in the Guaviare River.
Ditching and Evacuation
While at low altitude over the river, the pilot shut down the engine and performed a controlled ditching. Upon water impact, the aircraft inverted and submerged rapidly. All three occupants initiated emergency evacuation without reported issues and swam to shore. Local residents assisted them, but the minor was not among them. A search by municipal authorities located his body two days later approximately 500 m from the accident site.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
The investigation found that a fire had developed in the engine compartment due to a failure of the turbocharger system. The exhaust gas outlet tube had become disconnected, directing hot gases toward the firewall separating the engine from the cockpit, introducing smoke, heat, and fire into the cabin.
Maintenance Findings
The clamp (P/N MVT65861-377) securing the turbocharger exhaust tube had loosened because it maintained the specified dimensions. Additionally, the private operator had failed to follow the manufacturer's procedure specified in AD91-21-01-R1 of 27 July 1996 regarding the security of the turbocharger exhaust tube. A non-aeronautical element had been used as a brake for the turbocharger system clamp.
Weather and Flight Conditions
The accident occurred in daylight under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The time was approximately 12:20 local time.