What happened
On June 2, 2024, at approximately 07:10 local time, a Turbo Thrush S2R-T34, registration HK5311, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations over banana plantations in the Urabá region of Antioquia. The aircraft had departed from Los Cedros aerodrome earlier that morning, having already completed two successful spraying missions. Following the second mission, the aircraft was refueled with 150 gallons of fuel and 500 gallons of agrochemical product.
During its third mission of the day, the pilot executed a wide turn to perform a short pass over a target area. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a loss of control that the pilot was unable to correct. In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot released the onboard chemical payload and notified Air Traffic Control. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground at a low angle of descent and relatively low speed.
The investigation
The Colombian accident investigation authority (DIACC) arrived at the site, located in the Bloque Selva Madre area near Apartadó, to conduct a field examination. The aircraft sustained significant structural damage, including major impact damage to the forward section, engine separation, and significant denting to the leading edges of both wings.
Investigators recovered the onboard GPS to retrieve flight data and have taken custody of the engine and propeller for technical inspection. The investigation is currently focused on determining if any mechanical malfunctions contributed to the event. Further analysis will include aerodynamic performance calculations and an evaluation of human factors and operational procedures.