What happened
On October 18, 2015, a Beechcraft BE-60 Duke, registration HK3917G, departed from El Dorado International Airport (SKBO) for a flight to Guaymaral Airport (SKGY). During the initial climb phase, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of power in its left engine. As the aircraft attempted a left turn, the pilot lost control, and the plane descended into the El Luján neighborhood in the Engativá locality of Bogotá.
The aircraft struck a residence at approximately 16:19 local time, causing the airframe to disintegrate and triggering a post-impact fire. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in 3 fatalities among the crew and passengers, and 5 fatalities among people on the ground. Additionally, seven individuals sustained serious injuries and six others suffered minor injuries. The crash also caused significant damage to the impacted home, two neighboring houses, and four vehicles.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation, supported by the NTSB and FAA, examined aircraft maintenance records, radar tracks, and video footage from the airport. Investigators analyzed the engine and propeller components, including Lycoming engines and Hartzell propellers, to determine the origin of the power loss. Radar data revealed that the pilot had not activated the transponder during the flight. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the aircraft's airspeed had dropped to approximately 107 knots, which was below the required minimum control speed (VYSE) of 110 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's delay in identifying the engine emergency, which led to the aircraft flying at a speed below the minimum control threshold.
- A partial or total loss of power occurred in the left engine (the critical engine).
- The aircraft was operating at a high-altitude aerodrome, which affected performance due to density altitude.
- The pilot failed to maintain the necessary climb gradient and failed to apply the appropriate emergency procedures to manage the asymmetric thrust.
- There were inconsistencies found in the aircraft's maintenance logbook regarding flight hour tracking.