Incident Overview
On 31 December 2020, at 20:09 local time (01:09 UTC), an Airbus A319-115, registration N557AV, operated by Avianca as flight AV029 from Orlando (KMCO) to Bogotá (SKBO), landed on Runway 13L (north runway) of El Dorado International Airport. During the landing deceleration, the flight crew suddenly lost visual contact with runway lights and realized they had collided with a large balloon that was positioned on the runway. The captain took control and maintained the aircraft on the centerline. The aircraft passed through and disintegrated the balloon.
Aircraft and Occupant Status
There were 5 crew members and 26 passengers on board. All occupants were uninjured. The aircraft was taxied to taxiway A8 as instructed by air traffic control, then parked. Airport firefighting personnel, the movement area supervisor, and ramp inspection staff conducted a safety inspection. The aircraft was towed to parking position 45, where occupants deplaned normally.
Damage
As a result of the balloon collision, foreign object debris (FOD) was ingested and accumulated in both engines. The right engine air intake sustained dents, and the right engine thrust reverser doors were damaged. Balloon material accumulated on the main landing gear, both wings, and the horizontal stabilizer. The balloon, made of paper with some metal parts, was completely disintegrated.
Balloon Details
The balloon was a large aerostatic type. The investigation determined that it was launched by a balloon club without control or tracking, and without notifying the aeronautical authority. The club failed to anticipate the altitude, distance, and trajectory the balloon would reach, and did not consider the potential impact on air navigation.
Meteorological and Operational Conditions
The accident occurred during night visual meteorological conditions. No ATC involvement in the collision was reported.
Investigation Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the accident was: "Lack of knowledge, lack of foresight, and lack of responsibility of the balloon club that launched the balloon, without control, without tracking, and without anticipating the significance of the device, in terms of the altitude and distance it would reach, and the course it would take, omitting any information to the Aeronautical Authority, and ignoring the effects that their action could cause to air navigation."
Eight contributing factors were identified, and 17 operational safety recommendations were issued.