What happened
On September 20, 2024, at approximately 07:30 local time, a Cessna C550, registration YV3226, was conducting a private flight from Maiquetía, Venezuela, to San Antonio, Venezuela. During a visual descent toward the CUC VOR, the crew requested an approach to runway 17 at San Antonio under visual meteorological conditions. This request was approved by San Antonio Air Traffic Control (ATC), with instructions to report on final approach.
Simultaneously, at the neighboring Camilo Daza Airport (SKCC) in Cúcalta, Colombia, an ATR42, registration HK5331, was positioned on runway 34 awaiting takeoff clearance. While monitoring ADS-B data, the Cúcuta Approach controller observed the Cessna C550 approaching the threshold of runway 16 at Camilo Daza. The aircraft had not established contact with Cúcuta Approach or the Camilo Daza Tower, nor had it been assigned this runway.
Upon observing the Cessna C550 approaching head-on toward runway 16, the crew of the ATR42 performed an evasive maneuver, exiting the runway to a position behind the threshold. The Cessna C550 subsequently landed on runway 16 without authorization. After the landing, the aircraft vacated the runway via taxiway B toward the apron. There were no injuries and no damage to aircraft or infrastructure.
The investigation
The investigation was led by the DIACC investigator in coordination with the Camilo Daza airport administration. The process included an inspection of the aircraft and a review of the crew's licenses and medical certificates. Evidence collected for the investigation includes the pilot's handwritten report, flight documents, photographic evidence of the event, ATS records, flight plans, and ATC logs from the Cúcuta Approach and Tower controllers. The investigation also incorporated the report from the ATR42 crew and the operator's Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR).