Piper PA32-301T HK2629 Accident in Santander, Colombia

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On December 30, 2019, Aerogalán scheduled Piper PA32-301T HK2629 for a commercial non-regular taxi service transporting valuables on the route Bucaramanga–Cimitarra–Ocaña–Bucaramanga. The aircraft departed runway 35 at Palonegro Airport (SKBG) at 09:08 local time (14:08 UTC) with one pilot and two passengers aboard. Six minutes after takeoff, at 09:14 local time, the pilot requested to return to Palonegro. At 09:18 local time, the pilot reported an engine failure and stated he was proceeding directly to final approach. At 09:20 local time, the pilot reported his position at 2.8 miles and 5,200 feet. At 09:21 local time, the pilot stated he was at 1.5 miles and likely would not be able to reach the airport, indicating he would land to the right of a service station near Lebrija. ## Search and Recovery After the pilot's last communication, air traffic control made several calls without response. Search and rescue operations were initiated, and approximately 32 minutes later, at 09:54 local time, an aircraft overflying the area reported the wreckage located 0.3 nautical miles north of the service station mentioned by the pilot. Emergency personnel from Palonegro Airport, Lebrija firefighters, the National Police, and the National Army arrived at the scene and confirmed the fatal injuries of all three occupants. The accident occurred at 09:22 local time (14:22 UTC) in visual conditions. No post-impact fire occurred, and the aircraft was destroyed by impact with the terrain.