What happened
On August 19, 2019, an Embraer 120, registration HK4973, was operating a non-scheduled commercial flight transporting passengers and cargo from Bogotá to La Macarena, Meta. During the approach to El Refugio Aerodrome, the crew encountered deteriorating weather conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and reduced visibility.
As the aircraft progressed on short final, the crew lost visual contact with the runway due to the intensity of the rain. Despite the lack of clear visual references, the crew decided to continue the approach rather than performing a missed approach. Upon touchdown, the aircraft was misaligned with the runway centerline, having drifted toward the left side. The left main gear and nose gear landed outside the paved surface in the safety area.
The aircraft's nose gear entered a muddy area and subsequently became lodged in a drainage ditch located 28 meters from the runway centerline. The impact caused the nose gear tires to burst and the left engine to undergo a sudden stoppage as the propeller blades struck the ground. The aircraft came to a halt approximately 710 meters from the initial point of contact. All 32 occupants (3 crew members and 29 passengers) evacuated the aircraft safely and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the crew's decision-making process, the operational management of the operator, and the physical condition of the aerodrome. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed no mechanical malfunctions prior to the event. The investigation also noted that the operator failed to secure the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) data during the aircraft's transfer to the apron, resulting in the loss of critical audio evidence.
Findings
- The primary cause was the inadequate decision-making by the crew to continue the landing despite limited visibility caused by heavy rain.
- The operator failed to implement effective risk management, specifically regarding the analysis of changing meteorological conditions and the specific challenges of the destination aerodrome.
- The El Refugio Aerodrome presented deficient infrastructure, including poorly visible runway markings, a lack of lighting and windsock, and a poorly maintained safety area characterized by mud, puddles, and an unlevel drainage ditch.
- Adverse weather conditions significantly hindered the crew's ability to maintain visual contact with the runway during the final approach.