Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport is facing a critical situation following a serious incident on Sunday, November 10, when a Boeing 727-200 from Aerosucre, registration HK-5216, collided with the localizer antenna of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) for runway 14L during takeoff.
The aircraft, operating a route to Valencia, Venezuela, took off at 4:21 PM local time (9:21 PM GMT). According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia, the impact with the ILS system occurred shortly after the aircraft began its climb. In response, the crew followed emergency procedures, remaining airborne for over an hour to burn fuel before landing safely at 5:42 PM (10:42 PM GMT). The aircraft sustained visible damage to its landing gear and left wing, and the impact rendered one of the ILS’s key components inoperative, a critical technology for ensuring safe approaches in low-visibility conditions.
The Aerocivil, in collaboration with the insurer and the system manufacturer, Intelcan, has begun necessary repairs to restore the ILS to operation as quickly as possible. A technical team assessed the extent of the system’s damage on Monday and its impact on airport operations. “Our commitment is to ensure the ILS is operational again in the shortest time possible, with costs covered by the insurer and the work expedited by the manufacturer” stated the Colombian aviation authority.
The damage to the ILS system could have significant operational implications for an airport like El Dorado, which handles high volumes of air traffic and relies on this technology, especially under adverse weather conditions.
Although the current incident did not result in fatalities, it highlights potential recurring issues in Aerosucre’s operations, including flight planning. The Aerocivil’s Technical Accident Investigation Directorate is investigating the causes of the recent event to develop recommendations aimed at strengthening aviation safety and preventing future incidents.
