What happened
On December 20, 2017, at 09:55 local time, a Cessna 402C, registration HK4417, was performing a non-scheduled passenger flight from Bahía Solano to Quibdó, Colombia. During the takeoff roll from runway 36 at José Celestino Mutis Aerodrome, the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control approximately 200 meters into the roll. The aircraft drifted to the right, exiting the runway and entering the safety area, eventually coming to a stop 5 meters from the runway edge.
As the aircraft moved through the safety zone, the right main landing gear separated from the structure, causing the aircraft to skid on its undercarriage. The impact and subsequent sliding caused extensive damage to the airframe, including cracks in the fuselage and radome, damaged flaps, and broken hydraulic lines and electrical wiring. Both engines suffered sudden shutdowns, and the propellers were bent. All nine occupants—two crew members and seven passengers—evacuated the aircraft safely and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight history, crew qualifications, and airfield conditions. The investigation confirmed that the crew possessed adequate flight experience and valid medical certifications. The aircraft was also found to be in compliance with maintenance requirements.
Investigators analyzed the runway environment, noting that the airfield had a standing NOTAM regarding contaminated runway conditions. The safety area was found to be in poor condition, characterized by irregular, muddy, and swampy terrain with overgrown vegetation, which exacerbated the damage sustained during the excursion.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an inappropriate takeoff technique combined with a loss of situational awareness by the crew, who failed to detect the lateral deviation from the runway centerline in a timely manner.
- The crew demonstrated inadequate decision-making (ADM) by failing to implement necessary corrective measures to maintain the aircraft's trajectory.
- Contributing factors included deficiencies in the operator's training and oversight programs regarding takeoff and abort procedures.
- The poor condition of the aerodrome's safety area, specifically the irregular and soft surface, contributed to the structural damage of the aircraft.