What happened
On February 20, 2026, at 22:37 UTC, an Airbus A320-233, registration CC-COF, was performing a takeoff roll on runway 14R at El Dorado International Airport (SKBO) in Bogotá. During the high-speed maneuver, the flight crew observed a Bell 212 helicopter, registration FAC402 and 21, flying parallel to the runway's extension and preparing to cross the active runway path.
Faced with the immediate threat of a collision, the crew executed a rejected takeoff (RTO). The aircraft managed to come to a stop at taxiway K5, while the helicopter crossed the runway trajectory near taxiway K6. There were no injuries to the 157 passengers or the crew members on either aircraft, and no collisions occurred.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined air traffic control (ATC) communications, flight data, and cockpit voice recordings. The investigation established that the helicopter was conducting a surveillance mission and had been instructed by North Tower to maintain a specific altitude, but subsequently descended to approximately 4,500 feet during the crossing maneuver.
Investigators analyzed the sequence of ATC instructions, noting that the authorization for the helicopter to cross the runway trajectory was issued while the commercial airliner was already in its takeoff roll. The investigation also reviewed the cockpit environment, where the crew reported significant stress and a perceived lack of safety due to the helicopter's proximity and movement.
Findings
- Unauthorized altitude deviation: The helicopter performed a non-standard maneuver that did not comply with the instructed safety altitude.
- ATC communication failures: The investigation identified frequency saturation, overlapping transmissions, and the loss of critical instructions due to incomplete or incorrect readbacks.
- Lack of standardized procedures: There was an absence of detailed, standardized procedures for helicopters crossing runway trajectories at El Dorado.
- Inadequate situational awareness: The commercial crew was not provided with advance information regarding the helicopter's intention to cross the runway path.
- Visual obstructions: Structural elements of the control tower created visual interference, hindering the controllers' ability to monitor all traffic effectively.