What happened
On May 9, 2022, a Piper PA-28-235 (registration HK1792) was performing a charter flight from Villavicencio to the La Victoria aerodrome in Cumaribo, Vichada. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and two passengers under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
Prior to landing, the pilot performed a low pass over the airstrip to check for potential hazards. Following the approach to runway 04, the aircraft made contact with a hidden object on the unpaved, grass surface. The impact caused the aircraft to tilt and skid to the left, eventually coming to a stop approximately 18 to 180 meters from the runway threshold. All three occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the structural failure of the landing gear and the condition of the aerodrome. Investigators found that the impact with the object caused the torque link fusible bolts on the left main landing gear to break, resulting in the shock absorber piston being ejected. This left the aircraft resting on the shock absorber body.
While the aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, the investigation confirmed that the airframe, engine, and propeller remained structurally intact. The investigation also examined the state of the La Victoria aerodrome, noting that the runway was an unprepared grass surface. The investigators analyzed the visibility of the runway surface and the presence of vegetation that could obscure hazards.