What happened
On May 22, 2017, an Air Tractor AT-502, registration TG-BIG, was performing agricultural spraying operations in the department of Suchitepéquez, Guatemala. The aircraft had departed from La Flora aerodrome in Escuintla to service the Santa Irene farm area.
During the final phase of the landing flare, the pilot reported that the aircraft's control surfaces failed to respond as expected, causing the aircraft to veer left and exit the runway. The aircraft sustained structural damage to both wings due to the impact of the excursion.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the DGAC/UIA examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's qualifications, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Technical records indicated that the aircraft was airworthy and had been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's manuals by an approved maintenance organization.
Investigators reviewed the flight logs and the pilot's credentials, noting that the pilot was highly experienced with over 12,000 flight hours. The investigation also analyzed the runway conditions and the aircraft's approach speed. Post-accident inspections of the flight control systems and engine components revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions contributing to the loss of control.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the moisture on the runway surface at the time of landing.
- The pilot performed the landing at a speed exceeding the limits established in the aircraft's flight manual.
- The pilot was operating in an agricultural spraying capacity, which involves frequent transitions to new landing sites.
Safety action
- It is recommended that agricultural spraying companies update their Basic Operations Manual (MBO) to include a mandatory "work area familiarization" program. This program should require pilots to recognize specific runway characteristics before conducting spraying operations at a new site.
- Authorities should implement follow-up audits to ensure companies are enforcing these familiarization procedures for pilots working in new operational areas.