What happened
On April 6, 2018, a Cessna 172K, registration HK2129, was performing a non-scheduled air taxi flight from Mitú to the indigenous community of Trinidad de Tiquíe in the Vaupés department. The flight, operated by Aerovías Regionales del Oriente – ARO LTDA, was carrying one passenger and a small amount of cargo.
During the landing phase at Tiquíe Aerodrome (SKTE), the pilot attempted to land on runway 06. While executing the approach, the aircraft struck the terrain approximately 10 meters before the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to skid 23 meters along the runway surface. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, specifically affecting the nose gear, the engine's lower section, and the propeller blades. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger remained uninjured.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation established that the pilot was executing an unstabilized approach. While the pilot initially planned to land on runway 24, changes in aircraft attitude due to wind led to the decision to land on runway 06. The investigation found that the pilot failed to maintain an adequate glide path and did not recognize the deteriorating situation or implement corrective actions in time.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the operational environment of the Tiquíe Aerodrome, noting that it is an uncontrolled field with significant infrastructure deficiencies. The investigation also reviewed the operator's safety management systems and the pilot's recent flight experience, noting a period of low flight activity prior to the event.
Findings
- The primary cause was inappropriate flight technique, characterized by an approach below the required angle and a failure to recognize and correct an unstabilized approach.
- The pilot incorrectly estimated the aircraft's altitude and distance from the runway during the landing maneuver at an uncontrolled aerodrome.
- The operator demonstrated deficient risk assessment during the planning and execution of flights to uncontrolled strips, particularly for crews performing first-time operations at these locations.
- The operator's General Operations Manual lacked sufficient policies for analyzing risks associated with approach procedures at uncontrolled aerodromes.
- The Tiquíe Aerodrome lacked essential visual aids, such as runway markings, boundaries, or windsock indicators, which hindered the crew's ability to reference the approach and wind conditions.