What happened
On January 28, 2012, a Boeing 727-222, registration HK-4465, operated by Aerosucre, was performing a non-scheduled cargo flight from Bogotá (SKBO) to Leticia (SKLT). During the initial climb phase following takeoff from El Dorado International Airport, the aircraft failed to adhere to the established noise abatement procedures and the ROLUS CUATRO ALFA instrument departure procedure.
Radar data analysis revealed that the aircraft maintained a low climb gradient during the departure. Specifically, the aircraft crossed the QDR 269 radial at 9,000 feet with a speed of 189 knots and extended its flight path before initiating the required right-hand turn. The flight eventually continued to its destination in Leticia, landing without further incident. There were no injuries to the three crew members on board.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation utilized radar tracks provided by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Quality Assurance Group to reconstruct the flight path. The investigation examined the aircraft's altitude, speed, and climb rates at various waypoints. The investigators also reviewed the operator's General Operations Manual (MGO) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), as well as meteorological reports from the time of the event.
Meteorological conditions at the time included rain, cumuliform clouds, and a shift in wind from a crosswind to a tailwind component, accompanied by potential wind shear. The investigation also reviewed the crew's training records, medical certifications, and the aircraft's maintenance history, finding all to be in compliance with regulations.
Findings
- The crew utilized a flight technique that deviated from the established noise abatement and ROLUS 4A departure procedures.
- The aircraft maintained a low climb gradient during the initial climb phase, which prevented compliance with the required operational restrictions.
- The crew used speeds that exceeded those published for the ROLUS 4A procedure, which subsequently caused an enlargement of the turning radius during the right-hand maneuver.
- Atmospheric conditions, specifically changes in wind direction and intensity during the climb, contributed to the performance deviation.
- The operator's SOPs did not explicitly include the specific maneuvers for noise abatement and instrument departures as required by the local aeronautical information publication.