Piper PA-28 Runway Excursion During Training Flight in Colombia (HK2978)

Incident Overview and Location On September 19, 2014, at 13:00 local time (18:00 UTC), a Piper PA-28-181 with registration HK2978G was conducting a training flight at Aeródromo Flaminio Suárez Camacho (SKGY) in Guaymaral, Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia. The aircraft was operated by Escuela Aeroclub de Colombia and was programmed for touch-and-go training. The sole occupant was a 19-year-old student pilot undergoing commercial pilot training. ## Sequence of Events The student pilot completed three touch-and-go landings on runway 11 before deciding to end the training session. During the final landing approach, the aircraft experienced two bounces upon touchdown. The nose gear fractured, causing the propeller to strike the asphalt surface and the engine to stop suddenly. The aircraft lost positive control and exited the runway to the right, coming to rest in the safety area near taxiway D (Delta) at coordinates N04°48’45.11’’/W074°03’57.72’’. ## Damage and Injuries The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a fractured nose gear, dented lower engine cowling, deformed propeller blade tips, and deformed exhaust pipes. The student pilot was uninjured but was in a state of shock. She was assisted by the aerodrome's fire service (SEI) to evacuate the aircraft and was transported to a medical facility. No pre- or post-impact fire occurred. ## Aircraft and Operational Details The Piper PA-28-181, serial number 28-8390032, was manufactured in 1983 and powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine. The aircraft had 32,128.54 total flight hours and had received its 100-hour service and annual inspection on July 10, 2014. The student pilot held a valid medical certificate and had 29.12 total hours in the type, with this being her fourth solo flight. ## Environmental and Investigative Factors Meteorological conditions at the time were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots, visibility of 9,000 meters, and scattered clouds at 2,500 feet. The investigation found no abrupt changes in wind direction or intensity. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, as these were not required for this type of aircraft under applicable regulations. Navigation aids and communications did not contribute to the incident.