What happened
On January 22, 2003, a Piper PA-28-140, registration HK1691, was conducting a flight training session at Guaymaral Airport in Bogota. Following the completion of three consecutive circuits, the instructor authorized the student pilot to proceed with a solo flight.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft initially proceeded normally. However, upon reaching the taxiway intersection area, the aircraft veered into the safety zone. The student pilot lost control of the aircraft, which continued to travel along the ground before coming to a rest further down the field. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft unassisted, and no fire was reported following the incident.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the mechanical and operational aspects of the excursion. The inspection of the Piper PA-28-140 revealed significant structural damage, including the separation of the nose gear and the right main landing gear. Additionally, the propeller blades were found to be bent, the engine cowling sustained dents, and the upper left portion of the engine mount was broken. The investigation also noted a sudden engine stoppage during the event.
Findings
- The aircraft veered off the runway into the safety area during the takeoff phase.
- The impact with the ground caused the separation of the landing gear and damage to the engine components.
- The student pilot was uninjured during the event.