What happened
On October 3, 2015, a Piper 31-325, registration HK3909G, departed from Guaymaral Airport (SKGY) bound for Medellín. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported an emergency to air traffic control, indicating a loss of power. The pilot attempted to perform an emergency landing in an unprepared field near the Hipódromo de los Andes in Chía, Cundinamarca.
During the landing maneuver, the right wing of the aircraft struck a steel structure known as a "púlpito" that was embedded in the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to capsize and flip onto its back. The collision triggered a post-impact fire that consumed much of the airframe. Of the three people on board, two fatalities occurred due to the impact and subsequent fire, while one occupant managed to evacuate the wreckage uninjured.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the wreckage and engine components, involving assistance from the NTSB. Investigators found that the left propeller showed signs of rotation upon impact, whereas the right propeller was in a feathered position and showed no signs of rotation, supporting the conclusion of a power loss in the right engine. While the engines had undergone recent maintenance, the investigation could not pinpoint a specific mechanical cause for the failure due to fire damage to the accessories.
Evidence from the wreckage and witness statements indicated that the pilot likely struggled with limited performance due to the high density altitude environment. The investigation also noted that the pilot may have lost visual reference to the ground obstacle or was focused on maintaining aircraft control during the critical phase of the emergency landing.