On September 6, 2014, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration HK-4755) operated by Laser Aéreo (Latinoamericana de Servicios Aéreos) was involved in an aviation accident near Araracuara, Colombia during takeoff. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control during the initial climb phase following an unverified failure of the right engine. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A charter flight departing from Araracuara Airport crashed during its initial climb, resulting in the deaths of all ten people on board.
What happened
A twin-engine aircraft departed from runway 09 at Araracuara Airport at 15:03 local time, operating as a charter service bound for Florencia. The flight was carrying two crew members and eight passengers. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a failure of its right engine. This mechanical issue led to a loss of control, causing the plane to stall and descend into a forested region. The wreckage was located approximately 8.2 km from the departure airport. The impact was severe enough to cause the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in 10 fatalities.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical factors that contributed to the crash. Following the failure of the right engine, the crew did not adhere to established flight procedures. Additionally, evidence suggests the aircraft was likely operating at a weight exceeding its maximum takeoff weight. The investigation also highlighted a failure to conduct an adequate risk assessment regarding an operation that exceeded the performance capabilities of the aircraft.
Probable cause
The loss of control during the initial climb phase following an unverified failure of the right engine.