What happened
On April 6, 2021, an AC90 Turbo Commander, registration HK3561G, was performing a private flight from Medellín to the Santa Rosa del Sur aerodrome in Bolívar, Colombia. The flight, carrying a pilot and five passengers, proceeded without incident until the landing phase.
As the aircraft touched down on runway 28 and began its deceleration roll, the pilot observed several livestock on the left side of the runway, approximately 200 meters ahead of the aircraft. In an attempt to avoid the animals, the pilot steered the aircraft toward the right side of the runway. Despite this maneuver, the left engine struck four cattle, resulting in the death of two animals. The impact caused the left engine to suffer a sudden shutdown, damaged the propeller blades and hub, and caused the left main landing gear to fracture, resulting in the loss of the wheel.
All six occupants of the aircraft evacuated safely and received assistance from a nearby National Army battalion. No injuries were reported among the crew or passengers.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation established that the aircraft was airworthy and the pilot was properly licensed and medically fit. However, the investigation revealed significant deficiencies regarding the aerodrome's safety conditions. The perimeter fencing was in disrepair, allowing livestock, motorcycles, and pedestrians to enter the safety zones and the runway area.
Furthermore, the investigation found that the aircraft operator lacked a formal safety management system or risk assessment process for operating at uncontrolled aerodromes. There was also a lack of coordination between the operator and the destination aerodrome to anticipate potential hazards such as runway incursions.