What happened
On August 15, 2019, a Douglas DC-3, registration HK-2820, operated by Aerolíneas Andinas S.A. (Aliansa), was performing a scheduled cargo and passenger flight from San José del Guaviare to La Chorrera, Amazonas. After a routine landing on runway 04 at La Chorrera Aerodrome, the crew attempted to taxi the aircraft toward the parking area at approximately 10 knots.
During the taxi maneuver, the aircraft veered off the runway at the opposite end (runway 22). The aircraft drifted approximately 32 degrees from the runway edge and came to a stop in a small depression. During the excursion, the right wingtip struck a palm tree, causing the aircraft to slide northwest before coming to a complete halt. All 22 occupants (3 crew members and 19 passengers) evacuated the aircraft on their own without injuries. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the wingtip, leading edge, and trailing edge structures.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the sequence of events following the landing and the crew's adherence to standard operating procedures. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane was airworthy and had undergone recent scheduled services. Meteorological conditions were found to be favorable for VFR operations, and the runway surface was dry and in good condition.
However, the investigation identified deficiencies in the aerodrome's infrastructure, specifically regarding the maintenance of safety areas and the lack of proper marking. The investigation also analyzed the crew's performance, noting that while the pilots were fully certified and experienced, they failed to follow established company procedures during the ground phase of the operation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the runway excursion was a loss of directional control on the ground because the crew failed to release the tailwheel during taxiing, which significantly restricted the aircraft's maneuverability and turning radius.
- The crew failed to comply with the company's established standard operating procedures for ground operations.
- Contributing factors included a loss of situational awareness, inadequate Crew Resource Management (CRM), and crew complacency.
- The investigation noted that the crew's high level of familiarity with the aircraft type may have contributed to the error during routine tasks.