What happened
On March 20, 2026, a Cessna C180 with registration HK877 departed Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (SKCL) in Palmira for an aerial photography mission. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with two occupants: the pilot and a camera operator.
During the operation, while flying over the eastern part of Buga, the crew noticed engine vibration and unusual sounds, though parameters initially stabilized. The pilot decided to return to SKCL. While coordinating the approach with air traffic control at an altitude of approximately 4,900 feet, the fuel flow instrument began to oscillate and drop. The engine subsequently lost power.
The pilot declared a "PAN PAN" emergency and attempted to restart the engine by switching fuel tanks from both to right, then to left, while pumping the throttle control. These efforts failed to restore power. At approximately 15:25 local time, the pilot selected an unprepared field—a sugarcane crop belonging to Hacienda El Alisal in El Cerrito—for an emergency landing. The aircraft touched down on a heading of 271°, skidded for about 16 meters, and came to rest on a heading of 220°. Both occupants exited the aircraft unaided. There was no post-accident fire.
The investigation
The Directorate of Accident Investigation (DIACC) was notified immediately and dispatched investigators to the site the following day. Field activities included georeferencing the final position, documenting damage, and inspecting critical systems. Investigators verified the condition of the fuel tank vent lines, drained fuel from the filter bowl, and tested the flow in fuel lines from the tanks to the filter. They also inspected the spark plugs, magneto harness terminals, and the fuel selector valve. Additionally, the team reviewed GPS data and interviewed the pilot.
Damage was substantial to the landing gear structure, propeller, and engine. The camera operator sustained no injuries, while the pilot suffered minor injuries.
Findings
The preliminary report indicates that the accident resulted from a total loss of engine power during the return to base. Contributing factors included the inability to restart the engine after fuel flow issues were detected. The investigation is ongoing, with pending tasks including detailed inspection of the fuel tanks, analysis of chemical composition in fuel filters, and consultation with the NTSB accredited representative.