Preliminary Report: Piper PA-25-260 HK-531 Collision with Obstacle in Nunchía, Colombia (HK531)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On October 3, 2024, a Piper PA-25-260 with registration HK-531 was assigned to conduct eight aerial spraying flights from Aeródromo Palmarosa (SQPH) starting at 07:00 local time (12:00 UTC). The aircraft was operating in agricultural aviation under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) during daylight hours. ## Accident Sequence and Pilot Actions At 09:30 local time (14:30 UTC), during the final assigned flight, the aircraft's landing gear impacted a dirt mound while exiting a crop lot during the spraying phase. The impact caused substantial damage, leaving the aircraft inverted at its final position. The pilot reported cutting the mixture, reducing power, and turning off the master switch. He used an axe to break the cockpit plexiglas and exited the aircraft independently, sustaining minor injuries. He subsequently notified the organization's personnel, who assisted him and transported him to a clinic for medical evaluation. ## Damage Assessment and Field Investigation The aircraft came to rest in an area adjacent to a rice crop lot at coordinates N 05°33’50,14” – O 72°02’45,62”. Field inspection revealed substantial structural damage, including: - Wings: Substantial damage to the right wing's leading edge, tip, and root, with flap dents and intrados damage. The left wing sustained minor aileron damage, root structural damage, and flap-wing union damage. - Structure: Bending and rupture of the cockpit tubular section and main landing gear unions, fractures in the agrochemical tank, plexiglas rupture, and fabric tearing. - Landing Gear: Detachment of the main landing gears, tubular section rupture, tail skid damage, and inflated tires. - Engine and Propeller: No engine mount detachment, no apparent spark plug damage, and a bent blade on the fixed-pitch propeller. - Spraying Equipment: Detachment of the spraying pump, disassembly of fluid tubes, and fracture of the hopper tank. ## Investigation Status The Dirección Técnica de Investigación de Accidentes (DIACC) was alerted on the day of the event and designated an investigator. The company's technical personnel moved the aircraft to the organization's auxiliary base hangar. A serious incident notification was sent to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as the state of design and manufacture for the aircraft, engine, and propeller, though no accredited representative was designated. Pending tasks include documentary inspection, GPS data analysis, and analysis of maintenance, operational, and organizational factors.