What happened
On June 24, 2026, a Cessna 150K registered as HK735G was conducting training operations at Santa Ana Aerodrome (SKGO) in Cartago, Valle del Cauca. The aircraft had completed an earlier dual-instruction flight and was cleared for a solo circuit by the student pilot. During the final approach to runway 19, the aircraft experienced a bounce upon initial contact with the runway surface. This event led to an abnormal contact of the nose landing gear with the pavement, causing it to detach from the airframe.
Following the gear failure, the aircraft continued to roll approximately 40 meters down the runway before coming to a stop. A fire broke out during this rollout, which subsequently engulfed the cabin area. The pilot evacuated the aircraft independently and sustained no injuries. Aerodrome rescue and firefighting services responded promptly to extinguish the flames and assist the occupant.
The investigation
The Colombian aviation accident investigation authority, DIACC, initiated an inquiry into the incident and notified the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as the state of design and manufacture. Investigators documented the scene, including skid marks on the runway and the final position of the wreckage. Initial inspections revealed significant damage to the front structure, the nose gear assembly, and the engine mount, along with propeller blade impact marks on the runway surface. The fire consumed a large portion of the cabin and affected various structural components.
Review of operational records confirmed that the flight was part of a standard training program (Stage 1, Phase 5, Scenario 8). Meteorological conditions were visual flight rules (VFR) with daylight visibility and no adverse weather reported. Communications between the pilot and air traffic control proceeded normally, with the tower instructing a standard circuit landing. No issues were identified with navigation aids or the aerodrome infrastructure at the time of the event.
Findings
Preliminary findings indicate that the accident was precipitated by a bounce landing during the final approach phase. This maneuver resulted in an abnormal load on the nose landing gear, leading to its detachment from the aircraft structure. The subsequent ground rollout and fire were direct consequences of this structural failure. No mechanical failures or adverse environmental factors were identified as contributing causes in the initial assessment.