What happened
During a ferry flight intended to transport groups of inmates from Medellín to Popayán on behalf of the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute, an aircraft experienced a runway excursion. The flight was part of a rotation following the disembarkation of fifty prisoners at Popayán Airport.
As the crew initiated the departure, they began the takeoff roll from a runway intersection rather than the full length of the runway. This decision effectively decreased the usable takeoff distance from the standard 1,906 metres to only 910 metres. During the maneuver, the aircraft's flaps were set to 25° instead of the required 15°, and the engine power was maintained at 95% rather than the 100% required by company protocols for high-altitude operations above 1,400 metres.
Approximately 150 metres before the end of the runway, the pilot attempted an emergency braking maneuver after realizing the aircraft would not clear the threshold. The aircraft failed to stop within the remaining pavement, overran the runway, and collided with trees. The impact caused the aircraft to break into two pieces. The accident resulted in three fatalities and five injuries.
Findings
Investigation into the incident identified several deviations from standard operating procedures. The primary contributing factor was the decision to utilize a shortened takeoff distance by starting from the runway intersection. Additional contributing factors included incorrect flap settings and insufficient engine power relative to the established company requirements for the airport's elevation.