On November 10, 2024, a Boeing 727-227 from Aerosucre, registered as HK5216, suffered a serious incident while taking off from El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia. According to the preliminary report by the Directorate of Aircraft Accident Investigation (DIACC), the aircraft struck an antenna of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), causing structural damage, although all five occupants were unharmed.
The aircraft was carrying 19,323 kilograms of cargo to Valencia, Venezuela, and performed a rolling takeoff from runway 14L under tailwind conditions of 9 knots. It used the entire length of the runway before rotation and subsequently struck an antenna located 300 meters beyond the threshold of runway 32R. After the impact, the crew decided to return to the airport, landing safely on runway 14R.
Post-landing inspections revealed damage to the landing gear, the leading edge of the left slat, the inboard flap, and other structures of the left wing. A burst tire on the main landing gear was also confirmed.
The report indicates that the use of the «Improved Climb Takeoff» procedure under tailwind conditions and with a high weight may have contributed to the incident. This procedure, designed to improve the initial climb gradient, increases the takeoff distance required—a critical factor at high-altitude airports like El Dorado. The Improved Climb Takeoff is a technique used when the most restrictive limitation is in the second segment of the climb. It allows for a steeper ascent, making it useful in airports with obstacles, high altitude, or noise restrictions.
Safety recommendations
- Prohibit takeoffs with tailwinds when using procedures such as «Improved Climb Takeoff.»
- Enhance pilot and dispatcher training in operational performance analysis.
- Conduct more rigorous and frequent inspections of operators flying aircraft like the Boeing 727.
The DIACC is collaborating with international organizations such as the U.S. NTSB and Brazil’s CENIPA to analyze flight recorder data and determine the definitive causes of the incident. The final conclusions will be included in the investigation’s final report.
