On June 11, 2017, an Antonov AN-32 (registration HK-4833) operated by AerCaribe Colombia was involved in an aviation accident near Tarapacá, Colombia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Inappropriate decision by the aircraft operator to rush the aircraft's initial route to an aerodrome unknown to the company, not appropriate to the type of aircraft and not authorised in its Operating Specifications, without at least a proper risk assessment. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
After touchdown on runway 25, the aircraft veered right, entered soft ground, and became stuck. All 45 occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Accident Details
Following an uneventful charter flight from La Pedrera, the flight crew initiated the approach to Tarapacá Airfield. Immediately after touchdown on runway 25, the aircraft went out of control and veered to the right, off the runway. The aircraft traveled onto soft ground, rolling for several dozen meters before becoming stuck in mud.
Occupants and Damage
All 45 occupants evacuated the aircraft safely. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair as a result of the excursion.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified the following findings:
Inappropriate decision by the aircraft operator to rush the aircraft's initial route to an aerodrome unknown to the company, not appropriate to the type of aircraft and not authorised in its Operating Specifications, without at least a proper risk assessment.
Inadequate crew decision to accept and decide to proceed to an unknown aerodrome, without due knowledge of its characteristics, without prior experience or training in aerodrome operation and without at least a risk assessment.
A side runway excursion, from 24 metres from the threshold of runway 25, as a result of a probable unstabilised approach resulting in an off-axis landing.
Contributing factors:
Inefficient planning and supervision of operations by the aircraft operator, by scheduling the operation to an unknown airfield.
Failure of the company to comply with the contents of the Dispatch Manual and General Operations Manual, in relation to the procedures that must be complied with before operating new routes, new airports or special airports, in aspects such as route analysis, runway analysis, risk management and crew requirements.
Ignorance of the Tarapacá runway by the crew.
Probable cause
Inappropriate decision by the aircraft operator to rush the aircraft's initial route to an aerodrome unknown to the company, not appropriate to the type of aircraft and not authorised in its Operating Specifications, without at least a proper risk assessment. Inadequate crew decision to accept and decide to proceed to an unknown aerodrome, without due knowledge of its characteristics, without prior experience or training in aerodrome operation and without at least a risk assessment. A side runway excursion, from 24 metres from the threshold of runway 25, as a result of a probable unstabilised approach resulting in an off-axis landing. Contributing factors: Inefficient planning and supervision of operations by the aircraft operator, by scheduling the operation to an unknown airfield. Failure of the company to comply with the contents of the Dispatch Manual and General Operations Manual, in relation to the procedures that must be complied with before operating new routes, new airports or special airports, in aspects such as route analysis, runway analysis, risk management and crew requirements. Ignorance of the Tarapacá runway by the crew.