What happened
On May 15, 2021, an Air Tractor AT-500, registration TG-SRO, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations at Finca Parijuyú, located in the municipality of La Gomera, Escuintla, Guatemala. The aircraft was performing a routine mission, departing from its base at the Santa Rosa farm to apply chemical products to the fields.
During the takeoff phase, while the engine was operating at full power, the aircraft suffered a sudden and significant loss of power. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to descend and impact the ground at the plantation. The pilot survived the impact with minor injuries and was evacuated from the wreckage by farm workers before being transported to a medical center for treatment.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation focused on the mechanical integrity of the powerplant and the maintenance history of the aircraft. Investigators examined the engine components using a borescope, specifically inspecting the combustion chamber, stator, compressor turbine blades, and the power section.
Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft had been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's program and was considered airworthy at the time of the flight. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's qualifications, noting that the pilot was a certified Commercial Pilot with specific ratings for single-engine land aircraft and agricultural spraying operations. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were found to be favorable and did not contribute to the event.
Findings
- The investigation established that the engine failed during the takeoff roll due to internal structural failure within the power section.
- Borescope inspections revealed that the blades of disks 2 and 3 in the power section had fractured.
- The primary cause of the component failure was identified as material fatigue.
- The sudden fracture of these blades at high power settings led to the immediate loss of engine performance and the subsequent crash.