What happened
On February 28, 2021, a Douglas DC3-3C, registration HK2006, was conducting a non-scheduled cargo flight from Villavicencio to Mitú, Colombia. After arriving in Mitú, the aircraft was scheduled for a subsequent leg to the Monfort Indigenous Reserve airstrip to deliver supplies and machinery.
During the final approach to runway 17 at Monfort, the aircraft made heavy contact with the ground before reaching the runway threshold. The impact caused the right landing gear to strike the terrain, forcing the aircraft into a significant deviation from its flight path. The aircraft then skidded toward the left side of the runway. During this uncontrolled movement, both engines impacted the ground, causing the propellers and hubs to detach. The aircraft eventually came to a halt approximately 150 meters from the runway threshold. All three occupants (two crew members and one support person) were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft on their own.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the flight sequence, the condition of the Monfort airstrip, and the operational management of the operator. Investigators examined the aircraft's structural damage, which included significant deformation to the landing gear, plastic deformation of the upper fuselage skin, and substantial damage to the forward left fuselage caused by the departing propeller.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flight history, noting that the commander had returned to flight duties following a 70-day period of inactivity due to health issues. Furthermore, the investigation assessed the infrastructure of the Monfort airstrip, noting a lack of runway markings, safety zones, and standardized maintenance.