What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2023-12-29 involved a A185F, registration HK1658, at Paz de Ariporo, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by a total engine failure due to suspected fuel contamination, compounded by the pilot's inability to effectively manage the emergency due to a lack of recent proficiency in this specific aircraft type.

Engine Failure Leads to Fatal Tree Impact in Colombia

A Cessna A185F crashed into trees during an emergency approach in Casanare, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.

What happened

On December 29, 2023, a Cessna A185F, registration HK 1658G, was performing a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from La Culebra to Venecia de Guamas in the Casanare department of Colombia. During the flight, the pilot experienced a severe vibration, followed ten minutes later by a total loss of engine power.

In an attempt to land at the nearest available airfield, Dorotea B1, the pilot initiated an emergency procedure and a 360-degree maneuver to manage the descent. However, the aircraft lost altitude during the final approach to runway 06 and struck a dense group of trees located near the runway threshold. The impact with two tree trunks caused the aircraft to lose control, resulting in structural damage to the wings and the aircraft landing in an inverted position.

The accident resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. The pilot survived with serious injuries to the face and knee, while the passenger died due to the impact dynamics. The crew remained trapped in the cockpit for approximately two and a flight hours before being rescued by local residents and nearby personnel.

The investigation

The GRIAA investigation focused on the engine's performance and the pilot's emergency management. Investigators examined the engine components, fuel tanks, and the pilot's recent flight history. The inspection of the engine revealed several mechanical anomalies, including clogged injectors and irregular spark plug wear.

Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the aircraft's maintenance and storage conditions. The aircraft had been subject to long periods of inactivity in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment without a formal preservation program. The investigation also looked into the pilot's refueling practices, noting that fuel was transferred between aircraft using a manual suction method involving hoses and funnels.

Findings

The primary cause of the accident was a tree strike (arborizaje) resulting from a total engine power loss during final approach, which was likely triggered by fuel contamination.
The pilot demonstrated low proficiency and insufficient recent experience in the Cessna A185F, leading to inadequate management of the engine failure emergency.
Post-accident inspection of the engine identified clogged injectors (numbers 2 and 5), irregular spark plug wear, and evidence of a lean fuel mixture.
Contaminants, including residues and corrosion in the fuel filters, were found in the fuel tanks and reservoir.
The pilot utilized an improper and inefficient method for transferring fuel between aircraft using manual suction.
The aircraft's exposure to high humidity and heat during long periods of inactivity, without proper preservation, contributed to the degradation of components.