Engine Failure Leads to Crash Near Bogotá-Guaymaral Airport (HK-4686)

Accident Details

Shortly after takeoff from Bogotá-Guaymaral Airport during initial climb, the crew informed air traffic control of a right engine failure. The flight was cleared to return for an emergency landing and completed a circuit to land on runway 11. On final approach, the aircraft lost height and crashed in a wooded area approximately 800 meters short of the runway, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire, and all four occupants were killed.

Investigation Findings

The investigation determined the probable cause of the accident as follows:

• Loss of in-flight control as a result of slowing below minimum control speed and drag generated by the failure of the right engine (No. 2).
• Failure of engine No. 2 due to lack of lubrication, possibly caused by oil leakage through an 11.5 mm fracture found in one of the sides of cylinder No. 2 at the height of the intake valves.
• Inappropriate application by the crew of the emergency procedure for landing with an inoperative engine, by not declaring the emergency, not feathering the propeller of the inoperative engine, and configuring the aircraft early for landing (with landing gear and flaps) without having a safe runway, making it difficult to control the aircraft and placing it in a condition of loss of lift and control.

Contributing factors identified by the investigation include:

• Failure of the operator to emphasize in the crew training program the techniques and procedures to be followed in the event of engine failure, including declaration of emergency to ATC, feathering of the propeller of the inoperative engine, care in power application to the good engine to avoid increasing yaw, and not configuring the aircraft until landing is assured.
• Lack of emergency calls by the crew, denoting deficiencies in the operator's safety management system, which prevented early warning of aerodrome support services and deprived the crew of potential assistance from other aircraft or the operator.