Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, an aircraft was chartered to transfer groups of prisoners from Medellín to Popayán on behalf of the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute. After fifty prisoners disembarked at Popayán Airport, the crew departed on a ferry flight back to Medellín for a second similar rotation. Popayán Airport is located at an altitude of 1,733 metres, and its runway is 1,906 metres long.
Sequence of Events
For unknown reasons, the crew decided to start the takeoff procedure from an intersection, reducing the available takeoff distance to 910 metres. Additionally, the flaps were deployed at an angle of 25° instead of the required 15°, and engine power was set at 95% instead of 100% as stipulated in company procedures for airports above 1,400 metres altitude. During the takeoff roll, when 150 metres of runway remained, the pilot realized the aircraft could not become airborne and rejected the takeoff, initiating an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran the runway, struck trees, and came to rest broken in two. Three passengers were killed, and five other occupants were injured.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be improper execution by the crew by not following the procedures, instructions, and manuals of the aircraft manufacturer and those approved to the SELVA company by the UAEAC. Specifically, the crew attempted a takeoff in a wrong configuration, with a reduced power setting, and an insufficient runway length for the execution of the procedure.