Piper PA28 and Cessna 152 accident near Flanders, CO, September 15, 2016
On September 15, 2016 at about 3:23 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA28 (HK1328G) and Cessna 152 (HK2092G), were involved in the same accident near Flanders (Santiago Vila Airport). 2 people were killed; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2016 · about 3:23 pm local time
- Place
- Flanders, Colombia · Santiago Vila Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA28 140, built 1966 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- HK1328G · no longer on the register · serial 28-22317
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · non-U.S. private rules
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 152 NO SERIES, built 1978 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- HK2092G · no longer on the register · serial C15280656
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA28 preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 15, 2016, about 1523 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-28-140; Colombian registration, HK1328G, operated by Aeroandes Flight Training School, and a Cessna 152; Columbian registration, HK2092G, operated by Acahel Flight Training School experienced a midair collision while operating in the traffic pattern, at Santiago Vila Airport (SKGI), Flanders, Colombia. The Piper was substantially damaged and made a precautionary landing at SKGI. The flight instructor and student pilot receiving instruction in the Piper were not injured. The Cessna was substantially damaged and experienced an uncontrolled descent into the Magdalena River. The flight instructor and the student pilot receiving instruction in the Cessna were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flights, both of which were conducted under Colombian aviation regulations.The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Colombia. Further information can be obtained from: Grupo Investigación de Accidentes Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronáutica Civil Av. Eldorado 103-23 Bogota, Colombia Telephone: (57-1) 296-2138 Fax: (57-1) 296-2013 This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Republic of Colombia.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 15, 2016, about 1523 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-28-140; Colombian registration, HK1328G, operated by Aeroandes Flight Training School, and a Cessna 152; Columbian registration, HK2092G, operated by Acahel Flight Training School experienced a midair collision while operating in the traffic pattern, at Santiago Vila Airport (SKGI), Flanders, Colombia. The Piper was substantially damaged and made a precautionary landing at SKGI. The flight instructor and student pilot receiving instruction in the Piper were not injured. The Cessna was substantially damaged and experienced an uncontrolled descent into the Magdalena River. The flight instructor and the student pilot receiving instruction in the Cessna were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flights, both of which were conducted under Colombian aviation regulations.The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Colombia. Further information can be obtained from: Grupo Investigación de Accidentes Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronáutica Civil Av. Eldorado 103-23 Bogota, Colombia Telephone: (57-1) 296-2138 Fax: (57-1) 296-2013 This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Republic of Colombia.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Piper PA28 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during initial climb defining event
Flight instructor
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SKGI Flanders
- Destination: SKGI Flanders
- Runway 20, 5,249 ft by 92 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
The factual record for the Cessna 152 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during initial climb defining event
Flight instructor
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SKGI Flanders
- Destination: SKGI Flanders
- Runway 20, 5,249 ft by 92 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.