What happened
On May 12, 2024, at approximately 11:44 local time, a Cessna 182P, registration HK-1937, was performing an air taxi flight from Mitú to the Kamanaos Aerodrome (SQKM) in the Vaupés department of Colombia. The flight, which included one pilot and one passenger, was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
During the final approach to runway 27, the pilot noted fluctuations in the airspeed indicator of approximately 2 to 4 knots. Despite these variations, the pilot continued the approach with full flaps at an approach speed of 60 knots. Upon touchdown, a sudden gust of wind from the northeast caused the aircraft to drift laterally toward the left side of the runway.
As the aircraft began to veer off the paved surface, the pilot shut down the engine to mitigate the impact. The aircraft's left main gear subsequently struck an earthen mound used by local residents to delineate the runway edges, causing the aircraft to come to a stop. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, specifically to the propeller blade, and minor damage to the engine cowling. Both occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the environmental conditions at the aerodrome and the operational oversight of the operator. Investigators found that Kamanaos Aerodrome lacked essential aeronautical infrastructure, including a windsock, meteorological station, and standardized runway markings. The runway lacked a Runway End Safety Area (RESA), and the surrounding margins were unmaintained, consisting of earthen mounds.
Meteorological analysis via the Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) revealed an unstable atmosphere with convective activity and a high probability of surface turbulence. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the operator lacked a formal risk analysis for operating at critical, high-risk aerodromes like Kamanaos. Because the company lacked a dedicated dispatcher at its Mitú base, the pilot was responsible for his own flight planning and weather verification, which in this instance involved calling a local resident for weather updates.
Findings
- Wind gusts from the northeast caused the lateral deviation during the landing roll.
- The aerodrome lacked necessary safety infrastructure, including a windsock and adequate runway margins.
- The operator failed to conduct a formal risk assessment regarding operations at high-risk, unserviced aerodromes.
- The absence of a dispatcher at the auxiliary base increased the pilot's operational workload and reliance on non-professional weather information.