What happened
On October 28, 2018, a Cessna 182Q, registration HK2318, was performing a scheduled air taxi flight from Mitú to Tiquíe, Vaupés, Colombia. The flight, operated by Avianline Charter's S.A.S, carried a pilot and one passenger. While the initial flight segment proceeded without incident, the weather conditions at the destination had deteriorated due to heavy rain.
During the approach to runway 06, the pilot encountered reduced visibility caused by the rainfall. The aircraft entered an unstabilized approach characterized by a low approach angle and a speed below the reference velocity. The pilot failed to recognize the unstable state or execute a go-around. Consequently, the aircraft made contact with the terrain approximately five meters before the runway threshold. The impact on the uneven, vegetated ground caused the nose gear to collapse. As the aircraft continued to taxi for approximately 30 meters, it underwent a dynamic rollover on its transverse axis, eventually coming to rest inverted on the runway. Both occupants were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft independently.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight history, aircraft maintenance records, and the physical state of the aerodrome. Investigators noted that the aircraft's engine and propeller sustained damage, and both the nose gear and the right main gear detached during the event. The investigation also assessed the operational procedures of the operator and the infrastructure of the Tiquíe aerodrome, noting the lack of visual aids such as windsock or runway markings.
Findings
- The primary cause was inappropriate flight technique by the pilot, who conducted a visual approach under deteriorating weather conditions, resulting in an unstabilized approach and failure to apply corrective measures.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of awareness regarding how adverse meteorological conditions can induce optical illusions during final approach.
- The Tiquíe aerodrome lacked essential safety infrastructure, including runway markings, boundary delineations, and windsock indicators.
- The aerodrome's safety zones were irregular, uneven, and covered in vegetation, which contributed to the gear failure upon impact.
- The operator demonstrated deficient risk assessment regarding flight planning and execution at uncontrolled, limited-resource airstrips.
Safety action
- The investigation recommended that the operator, Avianline S.A.S, revise and reinforce its Manual of Operations and Training to strictly enforce stabilized approach parameters and mandate go-around procedures.
- The operator was advised to implement more robust risk analyses for all operated runways within its operational manuals.
- It was recommended that the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) work with local authorities to improve the Tiquíe aerodrome by installing runway markings and windsock indicators in compliance with safety regulations.