What happened
On November 12, 2020, a Jetstream 3201, registration OB-2152, operated by Servicios Aéreos Tarapoto E.I.R.L., was preparing for a non-scheduled cargo and passenger flight from Iquitos to Güeppi. After receiving taxi clearance for runway 24 at Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport, the crew proceeded toward the runway holding point.
As the aircraft reached the turnaround area, the crew observed that part of the apron was flooded due to heavy, continuous rainfall. Despite this observation, the crew continued the taxi maneuver. As the aircraft entered the flooded section, the propeller blades of both engines struck the standing water, resulting in a propeller strike. The crew immediately shut down both engines after noticing fluctuations in engine parameters. There were no injuries among the two crew members or the 14 passengers on board, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the propeller tips and potential internal engine damage.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation established that a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) had been issued by CORPAC, specifically warning crews to exercise caution because the runway 24 turnaround area was flooded. The investigation also examined the airport's drainage infrastructure, noting that while a drainage system was in place and maintained, it lacked the capacity to evacuate the volume of water produced by the intense rainfall.
Findings
- The primary cause was the crew's loss of situational awareness due to a state of complacency, which led them to underestimate the depth of the flood and incorrectly decide to continue taxiing through the inundated area.
- The crew failed to adequately account for the warnings provided in the pre-flight NOTAM.
- The airport's drainage system was unable to effectively manage the heavy precipitation, contributing to the accumulation of water on the apron.
Safety action
- The CIAA recommended that the operator implement periodic training sessions regarding human factors and Crew Resource Management (CRM) to improve decision-making in unsafe environments.
- Recommendations were made to revise flight briefing procedures to ensure more rigorous evaluation of NOTAMs.
- A recommendation was issued to Aeropuertos del Perú (ADP Iquitos) to conduct a study for improving the airport's drainage system to ensure rapid evacuation of rainwater.