What happened
On November 17, 2015, a Piper PA-3-220T, registration HK4483G, was conducting a flight from Medellín to Palmira under instrument flight rules (IFR). The flight, carrying one pilot and two passengers, had originally been planned under visual flight rules (VFR) but was transitioned to IFR due to deteriorating weather and approaching sunset.
While approaching the VOR of Cali, the pilot performed an unauthorized turn to the right. After contacting the tower, the pilot requested and executed a 360-degree turn to intercept the final approach for runway 01. During the final approach, the aircraft encountered heavy rain and significantly reduced visibility. The pilot attempted a landing, but the aircraft made an abnormal contact with the runway, causing a bounce. This resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent runway excursion to the right, where the aircraft came to rest approximately 100 meters from the runway edge between taxiways Bravo and Charlie. The impact caused major structural damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and wings, and led to the sudden stoppage of both engines. The three occupants sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight sequence, meteorological conditions, and air traffic control (ATC) communications. The investigation established that the airport was operating under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with heavy precipitation and low visibility. Investigators reviewed the pilot's decision-making regarding visual references and the actions of the controllers regarding the authorization of visual maneuvers in IMC conditions. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not equipped with flight data or cockpit voice recorders, as they were not required for this aircraft type.
Findings
- The primary cause was an abnormal contact with the runway during landing in deteriorating weather conditions characterized by heavy rain and low visibility.
- The loss of control was triggered by low airspeed and insufficient visibility following the initial runway bounce.
- The pilot failed to follow established IFR procedures by attempting a visual approach and landing when weather conditions did not guarantee the maintenance of visual references to the terrain and runway.
- Air traffic controllers failed to exercise proper oversight by authorizing visual maneuvers and a descent below the minimum sector altitude (MEA) while the airport was operating in IMC.
- The pilot did not execute standard missed approach or go-around procedures when visual contact with the runway was lost.