What happened
On October 2, 2024, a Cessna TU2/206G, registration HK2790G, was conducting a private flight from Villavicencio to the Campo Alegre Aerodrome in Guainía, Colombia. The mission involved transporting supplies, with a planned subsequent leg to Puerto Inírida. Upon approaching the airfield, the pilot observed heavy rain and strong winds over the runway. After two missed approaches to alert personnel on the ground, the pilot attempted a third landing.
As the aircraft touched down, the pilot found the runway surface completely saturated with water. During the deceleration phase, the pilot applied heavy braking, which triggered a hydroplaning event. The aircraft lost directional control and failed to stop within the runway limits, eventually exiting the active surface and becoming entangled in nearby vegetation. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation focused on the aircraft's performance and the physical conditions of the airfield. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the Cessna TU2/206G was airworthy and up to date. The investigation also analyzed the meteorological conditions, noting that recent heavy rainfall had created standing water and puddles on the unpaved surface.
Technical analysis of the runway revealed significant infrastructure deficiencies at Campo Alegre. The airfield, consisting of earth and grass, lacks markings, a windsock, and a defined safety area. The investigation noted that the lack of an official administration or meteorological services at the site, combined with irregular terrain and encroaching vegetation, contributed to the high-risk operating environment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was rubber reversion hydroplaning resulting from the application of heavy braking on a waterlogged runway.
- The pilot was aware of the hazardous runway conditions and the risks associated with the wet surface and wind gusts but proceeded with the landing.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a broken windshield, nose gear separation, propeller damage, and fuselage torsion.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to perform a comprehensive risk analysis regarding aircraft performance limitations relative to the wet, unpaved surface and the lack of an identified alternate aerodrome.