What happened
On December 31, 2014, a Piper PA-28-140, registration HK1685G, was performing a series of touch-and-go training maneuvers at the Flaminio Suárez Camacho Aerodrome (SKGY) in Guaymaral, Colombia. After successfully completing three circuits, the student pilot attempted a fourth takeoff from runway 11. During the application of power, the aircraft veered to the left. Despite attempts to correct the deviation using right rudder, the pilot lost directional control and exited the paved surface into the safety area.
The aircraft traveled approximately 119 meters off the runway. It struck a drainage ditch, causing the nose gear to partially bury and the propeller to strike the ground, resulting in a sudden engine stoppage. After crossing a second ditch, the nose gear fractured, and the aircraft subsequently underwent a dynamic rollover. The aircraft came to rest inverted. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained no injuries and was evacuated with assistance from the airport's fire services.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the pilot's training background, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the airfield infrastructure. The investigation revealed that the student pilot had recently transitioned from high-wing Cessna 150 training to low-wing aircraft, having completed only a few solo flights in the Piper PA-28-140. The investigation also noted that the student had been assigned five different instructors during their training period.
Regarding the airfield, investigators identified that the safety areas at SKGY contained deep drainage ditches and undulations. The maintenance records for HK1685G were found to be in order, with no mechanical failures contributing to the event. Meteorological conditions were visual (VMC) with a light crosswind, which were not considered contributing factors.
Findings
- The primary cause was the loss of situational awareness by the student pilot during the transition of control and power application during takeoff.
- The pilot's inexperience in maintaining directional control on the ground during a takeoff maneuver.
- Inconsistent training due to frequent changes in instructors and the rapid transition from high-wing to low-wing aircraft types.
- The presence of deep drainage ditches in the runway safety area, which acted as a pivot point for the dynamic rollover.