What happened
On June 14, 2024, an Air Tractor AT-502B, registration HK5380, was conducting aerial spraying operations over banana crops near the San Jacinto airfield in Apartadó, Antioquia. The flight was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) as part of specialized agricultural works.
During the fifth flight of the day, after taking off from runway 15, the pilot climbed to 300 feet at 90 knots and retracted the flaps. Shortly after, the pilot noticed a significant reduction in engine power, accompanied by a change in engine sound and a drop in torque, NP, and NG indications. The pilot attempted emergency procedures, including activating the fuel boost pump and continuous ignition, but the power loss persisted.
Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot selected an unprepared field for an emergency landing and jettisoned the agrochemical mixture. During the approach, the aircraft struck several trees, some reaching heights of 41 meters. The impact caused a 1.6-meter section of the right wing's leading edge to detach, resulting in a sharp right turn and a sudden change in heading. The aircraft eventually came to rest in a ditch after sliding 82 meters from the initial impact point. The pilot evacuated the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The Colombian accident investigation unit (DIACC) conducted a field investigation to examine the wreckage and flight data. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's structural integrity, noting substantial damage to the leading edges of both wings and deformations in the stabilizers. The investigation also involved the extraction of data from the SATLOC and MVP engine monitoring systems.
Physical examination of the engine revealed that the engine mount had partially detached, though the engine casing and accessories showed no significant damage. Preliminary checks of the fuel filter, fuel collector, and chip detector found no evidence of contamination or metal debris. The propeller was found intact with its three blades, though two blades exhibited backward deformation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the emergency landing was a loss of engine power during the initial climb.
- The aircraft sustained heavy structural damage to the wing leading edges and stabilizers due to collisions with trees during the forced landing.
- The pilot successfully executed emergency procedures to jettison the chemical load and selected a landing site, preventing a potential fire or larger-scale disaster.
- The engine's internal components, including the turbine and fuel systems, showed no immediate signs of contamination or mechanical failure during the initial field inspection.