Overview:
Landing on short, jungle-based airstrips pushes aircraft and pilots to their operational limits. This article examines the 2018 Jetstream 32 runway excursion at Bahía Solano, breaking down what went wrong and why remote, grass-covered runways are so difficult to operate safely. We explore the unstable approach, the long landing, the soft-field conditions, and the oversight issues that contributed to the accident — along with the larger lessons aviation experts draw from incidents like this. Despite substantial aircraft damage, all 14 people survived, offering a rare opportunity to study the unique hazards of jungle runway operations.
Inside the 2018 Jetstream 32 Runway Excursion in Colombia — and What It Shows About the Risks of Short, Soft, Remote Airstrips
Remote airports surrounded by thick jungle, wet soil, soft turf, and unpredictable weather push aircraft and flight crews to the edge of aviation’s safety envelope. These airstrips often serve communities with no other reliable access, but they come with extreme operational challenges: short runways, limited safety areas, uneven surfaces, and almost no margin for unstable approaches.
One accident in 2018 highlights exactly how quickly things can go wrong — even for experienced pilots.
The 2018 Jetstream Runway Excursion at Bahía Solano
On November 16, 2018, a British Aerospace Jetstream 32 (HK-4394) operated by SARPA – Servicios Aéreos Panamericanos attempted to land at Bahía Solano–José Celestino Mutis Airport (BSC), a short jungle-field runway on Colombia’s Pacific coast.
The aircraft, built in 1980 with more than 30,000 flight hours, was carrying 14 people on a non-scheduled passenger flight from Medellín.
During the landing on Runway 18, the Jetstream touched down too far down the strip — the result of an unstable approach, high speed, and a shallow approach angle. Unable to slow on the short, soft, grassy surface, the aircraft overran the runway and came to rest beyond the strip.
Miraculously, all occupants survived with zero injuries.
The aircraft, however, was damaged beyond repair, with both props, engines, and the rear fuselage destroyed.
Why These Runways Are So Dangerous
1. Short Length = Zero Margin for Error
Many jungle airstrips were never built for modern twin-engine commercial aircraft. With limited space carved out of dense terrain, touchdown zones are tight, and go-around decisions must be made earlier than usual.
A long landing — even by a few hundred feet — removes any chance at a safe stop.
2. Soft or Grassy Surfaces Reduce Braking
Unlike paved runways, soft turf absorbs braking force and is easily saturated by rain. Aircraft can hydroplane, dig into mud, or slide with little friction. At Bahía Solano, the wet safety zone offered almost no additional stopping capability once the Jetstream left the strip.
3. Unstable Approaches Are More Common
Remote airports lack advanced navigation aids. Pilots often rely on visual approaches through uneven terrain, downdrafts, or tight valleys. This contributes to low glide angles, high speeds, and unstable final approaches — the primary driver of this accident.
4. Crew Workload Skyrockets
Limited cockpit visibility, steep descents, short notice for configuration changes, and pressure to land the first time can all impact pilot decision-making. In this case, investigators noted the crew continued the approach even after recognizing it was unstable.
5. Operator Pressure and Oversight Issues
Investigators found that the operator scheduled the flight without ensuring the runway length was safe for the aircraft at its weight, underscoring a systemic oversight problem across remote-aviation operations worldwide.
The Official Findings: What Went Wrong
Probable Cause
- Runway excursion due to a long landing following an unstable approach.
- Crew lacked situational awareness and accepted an improper approach profile.
- Poor decision-making in choosing not to perform a go-around.
Contributing Factors
- No sterile cockpit policy during final approach.
- Oversight failure by the operator regarding runway length vs. aircraft weight.
- Poor safety area conditions at Bahía Solano, reducing deceleration once off-runway.
What the Aviation Industry Can Learn
While this incident ended without fatalities, it underscores several critical lessons for operations at remote airfields:
- Unstable approaches must always lead to a go-around.
- Operators must vet runway length and surface conditions before assigning aircraft.
- Jungle, soft, and grass runways require modified operational procedures, including lower landing weights and stricter performance margins.
- Safety areas must be improved where possible, even in remote environments.
- Sterile cockpit rules matter, especially in terrain-challenged airports.
As climate, terrain, and limited infrastructure continue to challenge air travel in remote regions, accidents like Bahía Solano show why pilot training and operator responsibility remain vital.
Editor’s Note:
This article discusses a real aviation accident to highlight operational challenges and industry safety lessons. All findings referenced are from the completed official investigation by Aerocivil.
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