Slovenian Investigation of Cessna U206F S5-DOT Landing Gear Fracture

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 11 May 2024, a Cessna U206F with registration S5-DOT was involved in a serious incident at the Šentvid pri Stični airfield in Slovenia. The aircraft, operated by PARAJET d.o.o. of Ljubljana, was conducting a parachute drop operation. The aircraft had a maximum takeoff mass of 1,636 kg and was carrying one pilot and six passengers. ## Sequence of Events During the second drop, a group of six parachutists boarded the aircraft. While taxiing on the grass surface, the right main landing gear spring leg fractured suddenly. The aircraft tilted to the right, causing the right wingtip to slide along the grass. The aircraft also tilted backward onto its tail, resulting in deformation of the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot shut down the engine and directed the passengers to evacuate. No injuries were reported among the pilot or passengers. ## Damage and Investigation The incident resulted in damage to the landing gear, fuselage, wing, and horizontal stabilizer. The investigation focused on the fractured right main landing gear. The final report, issued by the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure, concluded that the direct cause was the fracture of the right main landing gear spring leg. The report also noted that the purpose of the investigation was to improve aviation safety rather than assign blame.