Cessna 182P HK1522 Loss of Control During Landing at San Miguel, Colombia

Flight Overview and Accident Sequence On July 14, 2021, a Cessna 182P with registration HK1522 was operating a visual flight rules (VFR) non-scheduled passenger taxi service from Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport in Mitú (SKMU) to San Miguel (SKNE) in Vaupés, Colombia. The aircraft carried one pilot and three passengers. During the approach to runway 17, the pilot made a low approach. Approximately 25 meters from the touchdown zone, the aircraft apparently lost lift, possibly due to wind shear. The pilot applied power in an attempt to recover, but the aircraft touched down before the runway. The landing gear became entangled in vegetation, causing the pilot to lose control. As the aircraft decelerated, the nose landing gear fractured, and the aircraft partially overturned onto the runway. ## Damage and Occupants The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including separation of the left wing, fracture of the nose landing gear, sudden engine stoppage, fracture of the engine mount, and damaged propeller blades. All four occupants—1 pilot and 3 passengers—were uninjured. The pilot completed shutdown procedures and directed the passengers to evacuate by their own means. ## Probable Cause and Contributing Factors The investigation determined the probable cause was the pilot's inappropriate flight technique, specifically making an unstable approach below the correct glide path and at low speed, without recognizing or correcting the situation in time, resulting in contact with the surface before the runway. Contributing factors included deficient conditions at San Miguel aerodrome, which lacked minimum markings such as runway threshold, end, and edge markings, aerodrome limits, and wind indication, making the approach difficult in a confined field. Vegetation in the safety area of runway 17 aggravated the pre-runway contact. Additionally, the operator lacked risk management despite knowing the risks of the San Miguel runway and did not take necessary measures to ensure acceptably safe operations or to have the aerodrome operator, the Vaupés Department Governor's Office, improve conditions. ## Investigation and Recommendations The Colombian accident investigation authority, DIACC, was notified at 10:38 local time and dispatched an investigator on July 15. In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, the NTSB was notified as the state of design and manufacture of the aircraft, engine, and propeller. The investigation issued eight operational safety recommendations.