Incident Details
During the takeoff run from runway 31 at El Estrecho Airport, the captain transferred control to the first officer when the aircraft reached 80 knots. After traveling approximately 1,000 meters down the runway without achieving lift-off, the first officer decided to abort the takeoff without communicating this decision to the captain. The first officer reduced power by applying the brakes. Upon sensing the power reduction, the captain took control, applied reverse thrust, and simultaneously braked. The aircraft overran the runway end by about 50 meters, resulting in a runway excursion. It collided with and came to an abrupt stop on a mound of earth and vegetation in the runway extension. The aircraft was partially destroyed. One passenger died, and the remaining occupants sustained injuries.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the probable cause as a loss of directional control of the aircraft and a subsequent runway excursion, resulting from a combination of errors in takeoff planning and execution, incorrect configuration of the RPM throttle levers, failure to comply with standard procedures, and poor cockpit resource management (CRM). Contributing factors included the inappropriate decision to abort the takeoff at a speed higher than that specified in the performance tables, which significantly increased the required braking distance; ineffective communication between flight crew members, especially during the critical takeoff phase, creating confusion and incorrect decision-making; and the use of Accelerate-Stop Distance Available (ASDA) and takeoff speed calculations that were significantly higher than necessary, increasing the distance and speed required for a safe takeoff.