What happened
On January 10, 2026, a Piper PA-31-325 (registration N325FA) crashed into a field near Paipa, Boyacá, shortly after departing from the Juan José Rondón Aerodrome (SKPA). The aircraft was operating a private general aviation flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) toward Medellín.
Following takeoff from runway 05 at approximately 16:09 local time, the aircraft lost altitude and struck the ground at a high angle of impact. The collision occurred in an onion field at the Marengo farm, roughly 1.97 km from the runway threshold. The impact triggered a post-crash fire caused by the rupture of fuel tanks and subsequent contact with hot engine components. All six occupants on board sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The Colombian accident investigation authority (DIACC) initiated an inquiry following the event. Investigators conducted a field inspection of the wreckage, noting that the aircraft struck the terrain with a relatively high angle of impact and minimal linear displacement.
Detailed examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft's structural integrity was compromised by intense fire, particularly in the cockpit and passenger cabin. The investigation noted that the left wing suffered more significant fire damage than the right wing, with substantial loss of mass due to melting. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft's flight controls, including the ailerons, flaps, and rudder, remained intact within their respective cable systems. The aircraft was not equipped with flight recorders, as such installation was not required by applicable regulations.
Findings
- The aircraft struck the terrain with a high angle of impact, primarily involving the lower section of the airframe.
- Post-impact fire caused extensive structural damage, including the evaporation of fuel and the melting of various components.
- The aircraft was in an airworthy condition and met all technical requirements for flight prior to the accident.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were visual (VMC) with scattered clouds between 2,000 and 5,000 feet.