Overweight Twin-Engine Aircraft Crash at Paipa-Juan Jose Rondon Airport (HK-2651-X)

Accident Overview and Immediate Aftermath A twin-engine airplane departed from Runway 22 at Paipa-Juan Jose Rondon Airport and experienced significant difficulty gaining altitude. The aircraft passed closely over trees and several houses over a distance of three kilometers before the pilot-in-command initiated a left turn. During the turn, the left wingtip struck the ground, causing the airplane to crash and burst into flames. Five occupants were rescued from the wreckage, while 17 others were killed. Four of the survivors subsequently died the following day from injuries sustained in the accident. The flight crew consisted of pilot Gonzalo Otero Rueda, copilot Carlos Rincon Trujillo, and flight engineer Victor Rodriguez Rueda. ## Official Findings and Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the total weight of the airplane at takeoff was 6,491 kilograms, which was 821 kilograms above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). The investigation concluded that this condition demonstrated negligence and carelessness in operation, in violation of the airplane's Operation Manual.