What happened
On June 17, 2026, a Cessna U206F registered as HK1735 was operating non-scheduled passenger flights in the Vaupés department of Colombia. After completing several legs between Mitú and nearby communities, the pilot diverted to Acaricuara aerodrome due to adverse weather conditions en route back to Mitú. The aircraft landed on runway 20 at approximately 15:20 local time. During the shutdown procedure, while cutting the mixture to stop the engine, the propeller struck a minor who was near the nose of the aircraft. The victim sustained injuries to the face and arm. The pilot immediately evacuated the injured person to Mitú for medical attention, where they subsequently passed away.
The investigation
The Colombian aviation safety authority (GRIAA) is examining the sequence of events leading to the collision. Preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at an uncontrolled aerodrome with no published navigation aids. The pilot reported scanning the runway area before landing and finding it clear. However, during the post-landing shutdown phase, a person entered the immediate vicinity of the aircraft. The investigation is reviewing witness statements, operational records, and meteorological data to determine how the individual accessed the movement area. Toxicology tests on the pilot were negative for alcohol and drugs, and fatigue assessments indicated normal alertness levels.
Findings
The primary factor in this occurrence was the presence of a pedestrian in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft during engine shutdown. The propeller was still rotating when it made contact with the individual. Contributing factors under review include the lack of physical barriers or security controls at the remote aerodrome, which may have allowed unauthorized access to the runway area. The aircraft itself sustained no damage.