On September 15, 2019, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration HK-5229) operated by TransPacificos was involved in an aviation accident near Popayán-Guillermo León Valencia, Colombia during takeoff. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A loss of in-flight control of the aircraft due to possible excess weight. The aircraft probably managed to take off due to ground effect, but once in the air and out of ground effect, it was not able to obtain the speed that would allow it to safely… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine airplane crashed into two houses 530 meters past the runway end at Popayán-Guillermo León Valencia Airport, killing seven and seriously injuring two. The aircraft rolled right 20 seconds after liftoff and entered an uncontrolled descent.
Accident Details
On an unspecified date, a twin-engine airplane departed Popayán-Guillermo León Valencia Airport from runway 26 at 14:06:06. Approximately 20 seconds after liftoff, while traveling at a speed of 82 knots, the aircraft rolled to the right and entered an uncontrolled descent. It subsequently crashed onto two houses located 530 meters beyond the departure end of the runway.
Casualties and Damage
The accident resulted in the deaths of seven occupants. Two passengers sustained serious injuries. The two houses that were struck suffered damage from the impact.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a loss of in-flight control of the aircraft due to possible excess weight. The aircraft likely achieved takeoff through ground effect but, once airborne and outside ground effect, could not attain sufficient speed for a safe climb. Contributing factors included the absence of dispatch procedures for correct weight and balance calculation, the crew's incorrect weight and balance calculation that did not account for all loaded cargo, and weak operational safety management processes that failed to consider airport-specific limitations such as high altitude and high ambient temperature at Popayán.