What happened
On August 15, 2015, a Beechcraft King 350i, registration N188RU, was performing an executive flight from Valledupar to the Juan José Rondón Aerodrome (SKPA) in Paipa, Colombia. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and nine passengers.
During the landing phase on runway 04, the aircraft made initial contact with the pavement and immediately experienced a bounce. A second bounce followed, which caused the nose gear structure to fracture and detach from the airframe. The aircraft slid along the runway centerline for approximately 9 and 06 meters before coming to a stop. The impact caused the propellers to strike the ground, leading to sudden engine shutdowns and extensive damage to the fuselage, avionics, and engine cowlings. All 11 occupants evacuated the aircraft safely and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight's technical and operational aspects, including the aircraft's maintenance history, the crew's credentials, and the aerodrome's infrastructure. Investigators analyzed the flight data and cockpit voice recorder, which revealed that the crew had ignored multiple Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) and "Sink Rate" alerts during the approach.
Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the pilot's medical certifications, finding that both the Colombian and FAA medical certificates held by the pilot in command were expired at the time of the incident. The investigation also looked into the aerodrome's characteristics, noting the lack of approach charts and the challenging terrain surrounding the high-altitude runway.
Findings
- Abnormal runway contact resulting from an unstable approach and improper landing technique led to the nose gear failure.
- Poor Crew Resource Management (CRM), characterized by ineffective leadership, inadequate communication, and a lack of teamwork between the pilot and co-pilot.
- Inadequate flight planning that failed to account for the specific risks of the destination, including the high-altitude terrain and the lack of air traffic control services.
- Failure to respond to critical cockpit warnings, specifically the GPWS and "Sink Rate" alerts, during the final stages of the approach.
- The pilot in command was operating with expired medical certifications.