What happened
On July 11, 2018, a Douglas DC-3, registration HK3293, was conducting a humanitarian aid cargo flight from Puerto Inírida to San Felipe, Guainía. During the landing roll on runway 18 at San Felipe Aerodrome (SKFP), the aircraft began to veer gradually to the left. Despite the pilot's attempts to maintain the centerline, the aircraft exited the runway into a muddy safety area.
As the crew attempted to correct the trajectory, the left main gear pivoted, causing the left wing to strike the ground and resulting in the detachment of both propellers. The impact caused significant structural damage to the fuselage, the left wing, and the tail section. During the sequence, a small fire ignited in the left engine, which the crew successfully extinguished. All 12 occupants—three crew members and nine passengers—evacuated the aircraft. While most were uninjured, one crew member sustained a minor thoracic contusion.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the runway conditions and the mechanical failure of the landing gear. Investigators found that the runway surface was compromised by water and contained debris, specifically pieces of iron reinforcement rods used in construction. Detailed inspection of the tire marks revealed asymmetrical widths between the left and right main gear tracks.
Crucially, investigators discovered a 43 cm long iron rod embedded in the inner flank of the left main tire. This piece of debris matched the construction materials found scattered along the runway. The investigation also noted that the aerodrome lacked a perimeter fence, allowing vehicles and pedestrians to cross the runway area freely.
Findings
- The primary cause of the lateral runway excursion was a loss of ground control resulting from a sudden loss of pressure in the left main tire after a piece of FOD (Foreign Object Debris) penetrated the rubber.
- The aerodrome operator demonstrated deficient risk management regarding the maintenance and safety of the runway surface.
- A significant contributing factor was the absence of an active FOD control program at San Felipe Aerodrome.
- The lack of perimeter security allowed unauthorized movement of people and vehicles across the active runway area.