What happened
On December 31, 2020, at 20:09 local time, an Airbus A319-115, registration N557AV, operating as Avianca flight AVA029 from Orlando to Bogotá, landed on runway 13L at El Dorado International Airport. During the aircraft's deceleration phase, the crew suddenly lost visual contact with the runway lights as the aircraft struck a large hot air balloon that had settled on the runway at the moment of arrival.
The impact caused the aircraft to pass through and disintegrate the balloon. Debris from the balloon was ingested into both engines and accumulated on the landing gear, control surfaces, and the right engine's thrust reverser components. The pilot maintained control of the aircraft, keeping it centered on the runway, and eventually brought the plane to a stop on taxiway A8. All 31 occupants (5 crew and 26 passengers) were unharmed and evacuated the aircraft normally.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the trajectory of the balloon and the lack of coordination regarding its flight. Investigators examined the physical remains of the balloon, which was constructed of paper and metallic elements, and analyzed the wind patterns that carried the craft from its launch point in Envigado toward the airport. The investigation also reviewed air traffic control communications, which captured the moment the controller alerted the crew to a large balloon near the runway, followed by the confirmation that the object had landed on the active runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the lack of oversight and responsibility by the balloon club responsible for the launch. The club released the balloon without monitoring its flight, failing to predict its altitude, distance, or trajectory.
- The club failed to provide any information regarding the launch to the Civil Aviation Authority, neglecting the potential risks to air navigation.
- The aircraft sustained damage including dents on the right engine's air intake cowl and damage to the right engine's thrust reverser pivoting doors.
- Foreign Object Debris (FOD) from the balloon was ingested into both engines and lodged in the main landing gear and horizontal stabilizer.