What happened
On May 11, 2013, at approximately 12:15 UTC, a Gulfstream G-164B agricultural aircraft, registration YV236A, was performing its fourth flight of the day for fumigation operations. The aircraft was departing from the La Carolina airstrip, located at the Hoya Grande estate in the Javier Pulgar Municipality, Zulia State.
After completing routine checks and verifying that the runway was clear, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll. Approximately 100 meters into the takeoff, the pilot felt a heavy impact and immediately aborted the takeoff. Upon bringing the aircraft to a halt, the engine was shut down, and the pilot inspected the area. The investigation revealed that the tip of the right wing had struck a person who was crossing the runway. The individual sustained one fatality.
The aircraft sustained structural damage to the tip of the right wing and the leading edge of the same wing.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the JIAAC examined the circumstances surrounding the impact at the La Carolina airstrip. Authorities reviewed the flight sequence, the condition of the aircraft, and the site environment to determine why a pedestrian was in the path of the departing aircraft.