What happened
On July 24, 2012, a Cessna 208 Caravan, registration HK-3200G, operated by the Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia, was preparing for a scheduled flight from Araracuara to Bogotá. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and two passengers.
During the takeoff roll on runway 29, the pilot experienced irregular pitching of the aircraft accompanied by unusual engine noise and fluctuations in torque and RPM. The pilot immediately decided to abort the takeoff, applying maximum braking and reverse thrust. Despite these efforts, the aircraft failed to stop within the paved surface, overshooting the runway threshold and coming to a halt approximately 50 meters beyond the end of the runway in a muddy area.
There were no injuries to the four occupants. However, the aircraft sustained significant damage, including a damaged nose gear and engine damage caused by the propeller blades striking the ground.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the engine's performance and the aircraft's handling during the aborted maneuver. An inspection of the engine at the manufacturer's facility in Canada revealed that a P3 air line was loose and lacked a safety wire. This line is critical for the proper operation of the fuel control unit.
Investigators also examined the runway conditions at Araracuara, noting that the first 100 meters of the runway consisted of rocky material, which the crew had bypassed during the takeoff roll. The investigation also looked into the maintenance history and the crew's decision-making process regarding the use of available runway length.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the failure to utilize the full available runway length and inadequate hazard analysis by the crew when operating on an unprepared runway.
- The crew bypassed the first 100 meters of the runway due to its rocky composition, reducing the available stopping distance.
- The unpaved, gravel-covered nature of the runway contributed to reduced braking adhesion and vibrations during the takeoff roll.
- A loose P3 air line, which lacked a safety wire, contributed to engine power fluctuations and torque oscillations.
- The crew exhibited complacency and a lack of mental preparation regarding the risks of operating on an unprepared surface.
- There was a lack of adequate supervision regarding the maintenance procedure that left the P3 line unsecured.