Synopsis
On June 7, 2014, at approximately 10:14 local time (15:14 UTC), an Antonov AN-26B, registration HK4728, operated by Aerolínea del Caribe S.A. (AERCARIBE S.A.), was conducting a mixed passenger and cargo flight from Jorge E. González T. Airport (SKSJ) in San José del Guaviare to Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport (SKMU) in Mitú, Colombia. The aircraft carried three crew members (pilot, copilot, and technician) and 13 passengers, with 3,797 kg of cargo.
Flight History
The flight plan was filed at 14:24 UTC for a 15:00 UTC departure. At 15:06 UTC, the aircraft requested engine start, and at 15:12 UTC, it was cleared to taxi to runway 01. The tower advised of light drizzle and a wet runway surface. Takeoff began at 15:14 UTC. According to the pilot, as the aircraft approached V1 speed, he detected a vibration with a slight left deviation. He briefly pulled back on the controls to check if the nose gear was the source; the vibration then increased sharply, prompting him to abort the takeoff. He reduced power, aimed for the runway centerline, and warned about braking due to wet conditions. The copilot stated the pilot called out "LOS FRENOS" (the brakes). Immediately, the aircraft began a sharp right turn. Both pilot and copilot attempted to correct using brake pedals, but got no response. The aircraft exited the runway at a point 1,033 meters from the threshold of runway 01, traveled through the safety area, struck an automatic weather station antenna with the right propeller, then struck the top of a guard shack with the right propeller blades, and finally stopped 312 meters from the runway exit point, at coordinates N02°35'05.89" W072°38'18.43", heading 072°.
Injuries and Damage
All 16 occupants were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft unaided. The aircraft sustained damage to the right fuselage, sudden stoppage of the right engine (No. 2), deformation of the propeller dome, impact damage to all right propeller blades, and damage to the right engine nacelle. The weather station antenna and guard shack were destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that after a tire burst on wheel No. 1 and the subsequent takeoff abort, the serious incident was caused by inappropriate intervention by the onboard technician, who activated the aircraft's emergency brakes without any command from the pilot in command. This action inhibited the braking system for the flight crew, resulting in the runway excursion.
Probable Cause
The serious incident resulted from the technician's unauthorized activation of the emergency brakes, which inhibited the flight crew's brake controls and led to the runway excursion.