What happened
On June 29, 2020, a Piper PA44-180 (registration HK2234G) was performing a private flight from Guaymaral to the El Caimán aerodrome in the municipality of Orocué, Casanare. After completing livestock vaccination tasks earlier in the week, the pilot attempted to depart from the grass runway.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft experienced an uncommanded leftward movement. Despite the pilot's attempts to maintain directional control, the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway. The aircraft traveled approximately 210 meters from the runway threshold before coming to a stop in the safety area, roughly 20 meters from the runway edge. The impact with a drainage ditch caused the left main landing gear to collapse. Both occupants, the pilot and one passenger, evacuated the aircraft safely and were uninjured.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the runway conditions and the aircraft's behavior during the takeoff phase. Investigators noted that while the pilot was experienced and the aircraft was airworthy and maintained according to manufacturer standards, the runway surface was wet with standing water following rainfall the previous night. The investigation also noted a delay in the official notification of the event to the authorities due to the national sanitary emergency in effect at the time.
Findings
- The primary cause of the runway excursion was the loss of directional control during takeoff, triggered by the wet and pooled water conditions on the grass runway.
- The presence of water likely induced a viscous hydroplaning effect, reducing the friction between the tires and the surface and preventing the pilot from correcting the lateral deviation.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage, including damage to the lower fuselage, deformation of the flaps, and damage to the propeller blades following the sudden engine stoppage.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of situational awareness, which prevented the timely anticipation or correction of the lateral deviation.