Flight History
On 23 November 2016, a Cessna 206, registration HK2659, operated by Servicios Aéreos Especiales Global Life Ambulancias S.A.S., was conducting an air ambulance flight from La Macarena Airport (SKNA) to Vanguardia Airport (SKVV) in Villavicencio. The aircraft carried five occupants: one pilot, one doctor, one nurse, one patient, and one companion. The flight proceeded normally until the final approach to runway 05. As the aircraft neared the threshold, the left horizontal stabilizer struck a post belonging to the perimeter fence of a farm adjacent to the aerodrome. Subsequently, the left wing collided with the airport perimeter mesh, dragging approximately three meters of it. The aircraft then fell within the aerodrome boundaries, with a low descent angle and low speed, yawing 170° to the left and coming to rest at coordinates N04°09'42.68'' W073°37'07.34'', with a final heading of 240°, about 60 meters from the runway 05 threshold. The accident occurred during daylight hours and in visual meteorological conditions. No pre- or post-impact fire occurred.
Injuries and Occupant Status
The pilot and two other occupants were uninjured. The nurse sustained fractures to both legs and was immobilized by airport medical services before being transported to a nearby medical center. The patient, an adult, did not suffer any injuries as a result of the accident but died due to his pre-existing clinical condition—renal failure with liver cirrhosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure—classified as natural death by the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The propeller blades exhibited bending and material loss at the tips due to low rpm at ground impact. The engine and engine mount sustained cracks and material detachment, and the engine suffered damage from a sudden stop. The nose landing gear trunnion was completely damaged, and the main landing gear detached from its fuselage support. The right fuselage showed major damage from abrupt trajectory change, with minor damage to the right wing strut and lower tip, and major damage to the floor and seat rails. The upper fuselage displayed bending. The left wing leading edge was damaged from impact with the fence. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers were damaged from fence contact. Additionally, the airport perimeter mesh was damaged.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause to be an inappropriate flight technique by the pilot, making an approach below the proper angle, resulting in an unstabilized approach, failure to recognize the situation, and failure to apply timely and effective corrective measures to prevent the aircraft from impacting obstacles at the aerodrome boundaries. Additionally, the pilot operated in the "Region of Reverse Command" during the approach without recognizing the need for a greater power adjustment to maintain a low approach speed.