What happened
On August 28, 2025, at approximately 10:56 a.m. local time, a Piper PA-32-200 aircraft, registration HK4850, was performing an air ambulance mission from Saravena to Cúcuta, Colombia. The flight carried a total of six occupants, including the flight crew, a patient, and medical personnel.
After completing a flight pattern and descending toward the Camilo Daza Airport, the crew requested to land on runway 16. Upon touchdown, approximately 212 meters from the runway threshold, the aircraft began its landing roll. At roughly 393 meters from the threshold, the nose gear collapsed, causing the nose cone to make contact with the runway surface. The aircraft slid along the pavement for approximately 70 meters before coming to a complete stop. All six occupants evacuated the aircraft via their own means and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation included a visual inspection of the runway surface, where investigators identified undulations extending from the runway threshold to approximately 250 meters. No debris or fluid leaks from the aircraft were found on the runway.
Upon inspecting the aircraft in a hangar, investigators noted deformation on the propeller blades of both engines. Structural damage was identified on the lower section of the nose, consistent with friction from the nose cone dragging on the runway. Additionally, investigators found that rivets securing the firewall reinforcement and the nose gear actuator guide support had detached. Functional tests of the landing gear system confirmed that the deployment and retraction mechanisms, as well as cockpit indications, were operating correctly. The investigation also involved reviewing GPS data, maintenance logs, and pilot statements.