Synopsis
On June 30, 2024, at 07:00 local time, a Cessna A188A agricultural aircraft, registration HK-1476, was conducting a crop spraying operation from La Ceiba airstrip near Ciénaga, Magdalena, Colombia. The pilot, the sole occupant, had completed the first sector and began spraying a second area. When the spray material ran low, the pilot initiated a climb to return to base. During the climb, the engine experienced a partial power loss. The pilot briefly restored power using the manual fuel pump, but seconds later the engine lost all power. He executed an emergency forced landing in an agricultural field. After the aircraft came to a stop, the pilot evacuated unassisted and reported the event to the company. He was taken to a medical center and diagnosed with a minor contusion to his right knee.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather was favorable for visual flight. Scattered clouds were reported in the Santa Marta Terminal Maneuvering Area, and the operational area had visual conditions. Satellite and radar imagery showed no significant weather phenomena in the region at the time of the accident.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The Cessna A188A (serial number 18800694) was powered by a Continental IO-520-D (27) engine driving a Hartzell B2A34C205-C propeller. The aircraft held a valid airworthiness certificate. The pilot, aged 34, held a valid license and medical certificate, with 3,718:20 total flight hours, including 842:50 hours on type and 53:05 hours in the preceding 90 days.
Examination Findings
Post-accident inspection revealed that the engine rotated freely and the propeller exhibited impact damage consistent with rotation at impact. No pre- or post-impact fire occurred. The pilot’s helmet showed energy transfer marks without fractures, and the cockpit survival capsule maintained structural integrity. The left wing fuel tank was empty; the right tank contained fuel. A fuel sample contained black particles, later identified as plastic material. Internal inspection of the fuel tanks revealed residues, mold, and debris. The mesh filter showed deterioration, allowing particle ingress. The external fuel filter exhibited corrosion and material loss; the shutoff valve was secured with wire, preventing cockpit actuation. Fuel lines also contained residues. The right wing fuel tank had visible residues and mold. The GPS data indicated the pilot consistently turned in the same direction, which likely affected fuel balance and availability.
Conclusions
The investigation concluded that fuel contamination led to engine power loss and a forced landing. Contributing factors included inadequate maintenance inspection procedures and insufficient operational supervision regarding turning practices to ensure balanced fuel usage.
Probable Cause
Loss of power during climb due to contamination in the fuel system, which caused the engine to shut down and necessitated a forced landing on unprepared terrain.
Safety Recommendations
The operator was advised to conduct detailed fuel system inspections across the fleet, strengthen maintenance programs to ensure fuel tank cleanliness, establish inspection frequencies to detect contamination early, and perform operational analysis to define limits on turning maneuvers to promote balanced fuel use. The aviation authority was recommended to disseminate the report to special air transport and agricultural spraying operators to reinforce their safety management systems.