What happened
On July 22, 2013, a Beechcraft Raytheon 58, registration YV2357, operated by Aviación Premier C.A, was conducting a scheduled air taxi flight from Puerto Ayacucho, Venezuela, to Valencia, Venezuela. While climbing to 9,000 feet, the pilot detected abnormal noises coming from the left engine. Shortly after, the left engine failed completely.
Unable to establish communication with air traffic control centers in Venezuela, the pilot decided to divert to the nearest available airfield, Puerto Carreño (SKPC) in Colombia. During the approach, the pilot was unable to transmit messages to the tower, although he could receive transmissions. Due to the lack of communication and the absence of aeronautical charts for the Colombian airfield, the pilot performed several low-altitude 360-degree turns.
During the landing phase on runway 07, the pilot executed a left turn to align with the runway. This maneuver, combined with the loss of engine power, resulted in an improper touchdown. The aircraft struck the surface with excessive force, causing the main landing gear to collapse and the aircraft to veer off the right side of the runway into the safety area, damaging taxiway lights in the process. All three occupants—the pilot and two passengers—evidently evacuated the aircraft unharmed.
The investigation
The Colombian investigation group (GRIAA) examined the wreckage and the engine components. Investigators found that the left engine's propeller blades were deformed with no signs of rotation at impact, while the right engine's propeller showed significant twisting, indicating high power was being applied at the moment of impact.
Technical inspections of the left engine in Venezuela revealed a malfunction in both magnetos. It is believed that unsynchronized magneto operation caused irregular combustion and mechanical overstress, leading to the progressive failure of engine components. The investigation also noted that the pilot lacked the necessary aeronautical charts for Puerto Carreño and performed turns toward the critical engine to maintain visibility, which contributed to the loss of control.
Findings
- The primary cause of the runway excursion was pilot spatial disorientation during the emergency landing following the failure of the left engine.
- A malfunction in the engine magnetos led to the total failure of the left engine.
- The pilot's inability to communicate with the tower prevented coordinated emergency procedures.
- The absence of aeronautical charts for the diversion airport (SKPC) hindered proper navigation.
- The pilot's decision to perform turns toward the critical engine to maintain visibility compromised the aircraft's stability during the landing.