What happened
On April 26, 2019, at 13:55 local time, an Aerosucre S.A.S. Boeing 737-200, registration HK5026, was performing a scheduled cargo flight from Puerto Carreño to Bogotá. During the approach to runway 13R at El Dorado International Airport, the crew was notified by Air Traffic Control of heavy rain on the runway, gusty winds, and an active thunderstorm near the station.
As the aircraft transitioned from instrument to visual approach, the crew confirmed the runway in sight at minimums. However, the intensity of the rainfall caused a complete loss of external visibility immediately upon touchdown. This loss of visual references led to a momentary spatial disorientation, causing the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline toward the right. The right main gear and the nose gear made contact with the runway safety area.
Upon realizing the deviation, the pilot applied corrective rudder and asymmetric thrust to bring the aircraft back onto the centerline. During these maneuvers, the left engine ingested grass, causing damage. The aircraft eventually came to a stop and was towed to a parking stand. There were no injuries among the three crew members on board, though the aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, left wing surfaces, flaps, and the lower fuselage.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined flight data from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which showed a stabilized approach until the moment of touchdown, followed by a significant heading deviation and abrupt control inputs. While the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) could not be recovered due to improper handling, the investigation focused on the crew's response to the deteriorating weather. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological reports, which confirmed heavy rain and thunderstorms, and analyzed the crew's decision-making process regarding the decision to continue the landing rather than executing a go-around.