What happened
On July 6, 2026, a WACSA WA500-AG agricultural aircraft registered as HK5416 was conducting crop spraying operations in the rural area of Ansermanuevo, Valle del Cauca. The flight originated from a private airstrip known as La Elvira (SQVO) and operated under visual meteorological conditions.
The pilot completed two successful low-altitude passes over the target field before beginning a third pass using a divided pattern technique. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a low-voltage electrical wire that had been installed between two trees to control livestock. The wire was strung approximately 243 meters between the trees and lacked any visible signage or warning markers.
Upon impact, the pilot reported a loud noise from the engine followed by a partial loss of power. After attempting to gain altitude, the engine suffered a total loss of power. The aircraft crashed into a sugarcane field at Hacienda La Angostura at approximately 08:30 local time. The pilot evacuated the aircraft independently and sustained no injuries. No fire occurred.
The investigation
The Colombian aviation safety authority (Aerocivil) initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Investigators examined the wreckage, which showed significant structural damage to the wings, landing gear, and spray system components. A metal cable was found wrapped around the engine reduction gearbox, confirming the impact with the wire.
Meteorological data from the nearby Santa Ana de Cartago airport (SKGO) indicated clear visual conditions with no convective systems present at the time of the accident. Communications records between the pilot and air traffic control were collected for analysis. The pilot’s medical tests for alcohol and drugs returned negative results. The investigation is ongoing, with pending technical inspections of the engine components and a full review of the communication recordings.
Findings
The preliminary findings indicate that the direct cause of the accident was the collision with an unmarked obstacle in the flight path. The wire used for livestock control was installed in a manner not visible to the pilot during low-altitude agricultural operations. The lack of signage or hazard identification on the ground contributed to the failure to detect the obstacle before impact.
Safety action
Aerocivil issued an operational safety action (ASO) to the aircraft operator. This requires the implementation of pre-flight visual inspections by ground personnel to identify and report hazards in spraying areas, ensuring that crews are aware of potential risks such as unmarked wires or structures.