What happened
On April 10, 2014, at 12:20 local time, a Mooney INS-MARCK 20A, registration HK770 G, operated by Sareto S.A.S, crashed shortly after departing the runway in Juradó, Chocó. The aircraft was performing a general aviation flight, having arrived from Medellín earlier that day.
Immediately following the takeoff roll on runway 33, the aircraft entered a stall during the initial climb. The aircraft plummeted and struck the terrain at a high angle and low speed, approximately 379 meters from the head of runway 15. The pilot was able to abandon the aircraft on his own and sustained minor injuries. There was no fire at the scene, and the aircraft sustained significant damage to the landing gear, wings, and empennage.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the aircraft's performance parameters and the pilot's operational procedures. Investigators examined the aircraft's weight and balance records, which showed a takeoff weight calculation of 900 kg. However, the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) for the Mooney M20A specifies a maximum takeoff weight of 2,450 lbs (approximately 1,111 kg), yet the pilot's records utilized parameters and documentation corresponding to a different model, the Mooney M20C, which allows for a higher weight.
Investigators also noted that the aircraft had undergone modifications, including changes to the wing structure and landing gear. The investigation found that the pilot was using checklists and weight and balance formats that were not applicable to the specific M20A model being operated. Furthermore, the investigation noted a lack of evidence preservation at the crash site, as cargo and flight documentation had been removed prior to the arrival of the investigators.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of lift during the initial climb phase due to inappropriate takeoff technique related to a probable overweight condition.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft using performance charts, checklists, and weight and balance forms intended for a Mooney M20C rather than the M20A.
- The takeoff weight calculation used by the pilot exceeded the established limits for the M20A model.
- The aircraft was being operated with technical documentation that did not match its certified type.
- The pilot's flight experience in this specific aircraft type was relatively low, with only 107 hours logged in the model.