What happened
On April 8, 2022, a Douglas DC-3T (registration HK5016) was performing a non-scheduled commercial cargo flight from Puerto Inírida to San Felipe, Guainía. The flight, carrying two crew members and 12 passengers, proceeded normally until the landing phase at San Felipe Aerodrome.
During the landing roll on runway 18, the left main landing gear tire suddenly burst. This caused the aircraft to tilt and veer toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control using differential engine power and braking, but the steering response was insufficient. The aircraft exited the runway to the left, entering a flooded safety area. As the aircraft pivoted, centrifugal forces caused the right main gear to fracture. The aircraft came to a stop with substantial damage to the airframe, including the tail skid, both propellers, and the landing gear. All 14 occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the presence of foreign object debris (FOD) on the runway surface and the maintenance conditions of the San Felipe Aerodrome. Investigators examined the runway environment, noting the lack of perimeter fencing and the absence of a formal FOD prevention or aerodrome maintenance program. The investigation also reviewed the aerodrome's history, specifically noting that a previous accident involving an object on the same runway had occurred in 2018, yet recommendations from that investigation had not been fully implemented.
Findings
- The primary cause of the runway excursion was the sudden loss of inflation pressure in the left main tire due to a puncture caused by an iron rod (FOD) located on the runway.
- Deficient safety conditions at the San Felipe Aerodrome, characterized by the presence of FOD and a lack of perimeter fencing.
- The absence of an effective aerodrome maintenance and FOD prevention program.
- Failure by the aerodrome administration to implement safety recommendations from a 2018 investigation involving a similar FOD-related event.