Factual Information
On October 18, 2024, a Cessna A188B, registration HK-1535, was scheduled for agricultural spraying operations. The flight departed from Neiva York aerodrome (SQNP) to La Petriba airstrip (SQRB) in Cabuyaro, Meta, Colombia. The pilot arrived at the base around 05:00 local time and prepared the aircraft. After a rest period, at approximately 10:30 local time, the pilot received authorization to proceed to La Petriba. The aircraft took off at 11:00 with 48 gallons of fuel and landed about 15 minutes later. The pilot waited about 40 minutes for the farmer's approval before starting the first of four spraying flights, which were completed without incident. After landing at La Petriba around 13:15, the pilot was informed of two additional flights from Palmasola airstrip (SKSZ). The aircraft was refueled but not loaded with chemicals.
During the takeoff from runway 07, the pilot began the takeoff roll normally at 2,200 RPM with 10° flaps. After approximately 300 meters, as the tailwheel lifted, the aircraft suddenly veered left. Despite corrective inputs, the HK-1535 entered the left safety strip, which had dense vegetation, and skidded about 80 meters off the runway, then veered right. The pilot reduced power, and the aircraft skidded to a stop about 390 meters from the runway 07 threshold, at a heading of 350°. The right main landing gear collapsed inward, and part of the right wing struck the ground, causing significant damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot shut down the engine and evacuated uninjured. The accident occurred at 14:00 local time under visual meteorological conditions. No fire or injuries occurred.
Field Inspection
An on-site inspection was conducted the day after the accident. The aircraft rested at coordinates N 04°21’41.59”, W 074°49’41.73”, elevation 596 feet MSL, near a ditch parallel to the airstrip. Main landing gear marks were visible from the start of the takeoff roll to about 313 meters from the threshold, where a left turn was indicated. The tracks then zigzagged for about 78 meters through the safety strip to the final position. Dense vegetation, including shrubs and grass up to 90 cm high, lined both sides of the runway. Two days after the accident, the operator cleared the vegetation along the runway strips.
The tailwheel was found detached approximately 41 meters before the final position but had been moved before investigators arrived. A fragment of the right wingtip composite was found. No fluid leaks were observed. Inside the cockpit, engine controls were in the off position. The engine rotated freely with no signs of sudden stoppage or propeller deformation. Fuel drainage revealed about 18 gallons in the right tank and less than 1 gallon in the left tank; the aircraft was tilted right due to gear collapse. The battery had been removed, so fuel quantity indicators could not be verified. The fuel filter was clean and free of impurities. The aircraft has no fuel selector valve. Control continuity was confirmed for primary controls, though elevator and rudder exhibited operational difficulty due to impact damage; flaps operated normally. Main landing gear tires were inflated. The tailwheel detached due to fracture of its fusible bolts. The tailwheel spring attach fitting showed plastic deformation and internal corrosion and was retained for metallurgical analysis. Pressure in the detached tailwheel was 40 PSI. The GPS AGNAV system was removed by the operator for safekeeping on the day of the accident.