A serious incident at El Dorado Airport in Bogotá on November 10, 2024 once again brought the safety standards of the Colombian cargo airline Aerosucre into focus.
An aged Boeing 727 freighter belonging to the airline, flight A4-372, failed to achieve the required speed and altitude during takeoff and its wing and landing gear struck one of the antennas of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), which is used to assist landings in bad weather conditions. The incident, which was captured on video, is reminiscent of the tragic takeoff accident of another Boeing 727 belonging to the same airline in 2016, in which five of the six passengers died.
The course of the incident
Flight A4-372 took off on the morning of November 10, bound for Valencia, Venezuela. The Boeing 727-200, which Aerosucre uses for cargo flights, struggled with a lack of lift early on runway 14L at Bogotá airport. After leaving the runway, the plane struggled to gain altitude and collided with the ILS system about 300 meters beyond the end of the runway. The collision was so serious that the pilots decided to abort the flight to Venezuela. To reduce weight for a safe landing, the plane circled near the airport and dumped fuel before landing safely on the same runway about an hour later.
According to records and video footage, the Boeing 727 appeared to be heavily loaded, and observers suspect that the aircraft's conversion status from a passenger aircraft may have contributed to the problem of insufficient takeoff performance. Aerosucre's operations have been frequently criticized in recent years for the aging of its aircraft and lack of safety protocols, and this incident is likely to reignite the debate.
A déjà vu? Memories of the 2016 accident
The incident brings back sad memories for many Colombians and aviation enthusiasts. In December 2016, an Aerosucre Boeing 727, which had also been converted as a cargo plane, experienced a similar problem when taking off from Puerto Carreño airport. The plane also had problems reaching the necessary speed and altitude, which ultimately led to a catastrophic crash. Shortly after takeoff, the plane hit a fence at the end of the runway and crashed just a few kilometers later. Five of the six crew members lost their lives, which led to considerable discussion about Aerosucre's safety standards.
Since the 2016 accident, Aerosucre has been under increased scrutiny, and the Colombian aviation authority has called for the airline to improve its safety standards. According to some reports, many of the fleet's aircraft are outdated and have a high number of operating hours, increasing the likelihood of technical problems and incidents. The current incident shows that the airline continues to face safety problems despite the tragic lessons of 2016.
Aerosucre and the challenges of older aircraft
Aerosucre is a Colombian cargo airline that operates mainly in South America, often serving areas that are difficult to access. The airline mainly uses Boeing 727 aircraft, a model that was manufactured between the 1960s and 1980s and is rarely used today. These older aircraft are generally less efficient, consume more fuel and often require more maintenance than modern aircraft. In addition, outdated technical systems make it difficult to control and manage the aircraft precisely, especially under extreme operating conditions.
Operating an older fleet presents airlines like Aerosucre with significant financial and technical challenges. Spare parts for older models like the Boeing 727 are increasingly hard to come by, and maintenance staff require specialized training to operate such aircraft properly. However, using such aircraft makes economic sense for Aerosucre in Colombia, as the airline serves many remote areas where there are few alternatives to air freight.
security issues in focus
The latest incident is likely to lead to an intensive investigation by the Colombian aviation authority, which had previously criticized safety deficiencies at Aerosucre. Questions about the maintenance and inspection of the aircraft, the training of staff and compliance with international safety standards will play a central role in the coming weeks. Aerosucre's responsibility to invest more in safety measures and possibly in replacing the old aircraft in view of the outdated condition of the fleet will also be up for discussion.
In Colombia, where geographic conditions often favor air freight, Aerosucre is an indispensable airline for supplying remote regions. However, operational safety cannot be sacrificed for profitability, and the company is faced with the task of finding a better balance between operational needs and safety standards. The incident at El Dorado airport shows how fine a line Aerosucre is walking in this regard. For many observers, it remains an open question as to how the airline will react to the latest incident and what measures it will take to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The future of the Boeing 727 at Aerosucre
Given the ageing fleet and repeated incidents, there is increasing speculation as to whether Aerosucre will be able to keep the Boeing 727 in the long term or whether the airline will switch to more modern aircraft. The operating costs and safety requirements may ultimately force the airline to invest in new aircraft or at least plan a major overhaul of its fleet. However, a switch would mean significant investment and Aerosucre may have to switch to new, low-cost aircraft models to remain profitable.
In the meantime, the question remains whether the Colombian government and the national aviation authority will intervene more strongly in safety regulations in light of recent incidents and force Aerosucre to reorient itself. The incident of November 10, 2024 shows once again the urgent need to enforce clear measures to ensure safety in air cargo operations.
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