Loss of Control Following Engine Failure in Beechcraft C-90

Casualties unknown • Villavicencio, CO

A medical evacuation flight ended in a fatal crash near Villavicencio, Colombia, after the crew failed to manage an engine failure effectively during an emergency approach.

What happened

On March 12, 2014, a Hawker Beechcraft C-90, registration HK-4921, was operating a medical evacuation flight from Bogotá to Araracuara. The aircraft was transporting a patient and four other occupants, including two crew members.

While en route, the crew notified air traffic control of a failure in the number one engine and requested an emergency diversion to Vanguardia Airport in Villavicencio. During the descent toward the VOR, the crew declared an emergency and requested immediate access to the airport runway. At 11:33 UTC, the aircraft struck the terrain approximately 480 meters from the threshold of runway 23 near Vereda El Cairo. The impact and subsequent intense post-crash fire resulted in five fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.

The investigation

The GRIAA investigation focused on the crew's response to the engine failure and the flight path during the emergency approach. Investigators examined the aircraft's wreckage, which was found in a nose-down position at a 70-degree angle. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records, noting that while the pilot was highly experienced, a recent instructor check had recommended specific simulator practice for engine failure procedures.

Technical analysis confirmed that the left engine propeller was in the feathered position, meaning the engine failure did not create excessive drag that would have made the aircraft uncontrollable if handled correctly. The investigation also noted that the crew did not follow published approach procedures for Vanguardia Airport and changed their intended runway from 05 to 23 without notifying air traffic control.

Findings

  • The crew failed to execute the appropriate manufacturer-recommended procedures for an engine failure.
  • The crew's decision-making during the emergency was flawed, characterized by a lack of coordination and uncoordinated actions.
  • The crew performed a turn toward the chosen runway on the same side as the inoperative engine, which is a critical maneuver that compromised control.
  • The approach was unstable, as the crew failed to maintain appropriate altitude to configure the aircraft properly before attempting to align with the runway.
  • The crew's urgency to land led to significant deviations from established flight rules and published approach charts.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the crew's failure to properly manage an engine failure, specifically through uncoordinated actions, improper decision-making, and executing a critical turn toward the landing runway on the side of the inoperative engine, leading to a loss of control at low altitude.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-03-12 C-90 accident near Villavicencio, CO?

A medical evacuation flight ended in a fatal crash near Villavicencio, Colombia, after the crew failed to manage an engine failure effectively during an emergency approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-03-12 involved a C-90, registration HK4921, at Villavicencio, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew's failure to properly manage an engine failure, specifically through uncoordinated actions, improper decision-making, and executing a critical turn toward the landing runway on the side of the inoperative engine, leading to a loss of control at low altitude.

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