Factual Information
On November 26, 2024, at 11:55 local time, a Piper PA‑28‑161, registration HK‑4998G, was involved in a serious incident at Aeródromo Ernesto Cortissoz in Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia. The aircraft was on an instructional flight with an instructor and a student pilot on board.
Flight Sequence
The aircraft taxied from the hangar of the Centro de Instrucción (CIA) at the north end of the aerodrome and took off from runway 05 at 11:15 local time without incident. Weather conditions at that time were favorable for visual flight rules (VFR) with calm winds. The flight proceeded routinely. During the last visual circuit in preparation for landing, the crew observed a weather front moving rapidly from the west. The instructor and student decided to land.
At 11:48 local time, air traffic control (ATC) cleared the aircraft to land on runway 05. Winds were reported from 300° at 4 knots. The landing was normal, and the aircraft exited the runway via taxiway Charlie and continued taxiing toward the training center platform via taxiway Alpha. Meanwhile, the thunderstorm front continued to approach.
At approximately 11:55, while taxiing on heading 050°, a strong wind gust suddenly lifted the rear fuselage, causing an abrupt rotation about the lateral axis. During this rotation, the left wing and propeller struck the pavement, resulting in a sudden engine stoppage. The aircraft briefly assumed a near‑vertical attitude before returning to its original position and coming to rest on the taxiway.
Injuries and Damage
The two occupants exited the aircraft unaided. No injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing, including skin deformation and perforations from the wingtip to approximately one‑third of the surface toward the root. Dents were found on the left front of the engine cowl. The propeller blades were deformed forward, and the engine experienced a sudden stoppage due to the propeller impact. Minor damage occurred to taxiway Alpha.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the event, adverse weather was present, with a thunderstorm approaching from the northwest. Witnesses described conditions as a strong squall moving rapidly across the runway toward the hangars. Surface wind data from the automatic weather station near runway 23 indicated gusts up to 21 knots from 230°, with fluctuations. METAR reports from around the time showed variable winds, thunderstorm activity, and cumulonimbus clouds.
Operational Aspects
Before the flight, the crew had consulted weather information and completed a risk assessment form. The assessment identified low risk for the planned local flight. Factors evaluated included cloud cover (few and scattered above 1,500 ft), available planning time, cruise altitude, training type, student experience, and fuel. All factors indicated a low overall risk level.