Incident Overview
On 3 May 2025, an Airbus A320-214, registration HK5407, operating flight 9206, experienced a fuel emergency during a scheduled passenger flight from Rionegro to Santa Marta, Colombia. The aircraft, carrying 6 crew and 173 passengers, eventually landed at Aeropuerto Rafael Núñez in Cartagena with 860 kg of fuel remaining. No injuries to persons or damage to the aircraft were reported.
Flight Sequence
The flight departed Aeródromo José María Córdoba in Rionegro at 2019 UTC. During descent toward Santa Marta, the crew observed large thunderstorm formations on the weather radar along the planned route and approach. They requested and executed a left deviation of approximately 100 nautical miles. The deviation placed the aircraft in the airspace sector between Barranquilla and Cartagena, chosen to avoid the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range.
Air traffic control (ATC) at Santa Marta informed the crew that the active runway had changed to runway 19. Upon reconfiguring for the new runway, the estimated fuel on board (EFOB) was 1.9 (units not specified). The crew decided to continue as another A320 from a different operator had recently landed at Santa Marta and weather information indicated the airport was operational.
The crew initiated an approach from waypoint UTGON for a visual flight procedure (RVFP) to runway 19. However, weather conditions continued to deteriorate, and without visual contact with the terrain, they requested diversion to Aeropuerto Ernesto Cortissoz in Barranquilla, proceeding direct to waypoint MIKID.
Fuel Emergency Declaration
Barranquilla Approach advised that conditions were favorable for an RNP approach to runway 23, with rain only on the approach path. At 100 feet above decision altitude, the crew did not see the runway and performed a missed approach, climbing to 5,000 feet. They then informed ATC of their intent to proceed to Cartagena as an alternate.
Barranquilla Approach assigned the flight sequence position 4 for approach. The crew immediately declared PAN PAN due to fuel minimums. Before reaching waypoint UTLOK, with 1,098 kg of fuel remaining, the crew declared MAYDAY. ATC then cleared the aircraft direct to UTLOK.
Landing and Aftermath
The crew executed a normal RNP approach to runway 19 at Aeropuerto Rafael Núñez in Cartagena. The aircraft landed with 860 kg of fuel remaining. Passengers and crew deplaned normally. No injuries or aircraft damage occurred.
Investigation Status
As of the preliminary report dated 30 May 2025, the investigation is ongoing. Pending tasks include review of the aircraft dispatch procedure, complete analysis of cockpit voice recorder (CVR) audio, and interviews with the flight crew.