What happened
On August 8, 2011, a Cessna 206 G, registration F-OGXD, departed from Cayenne, French Guiana, carrying a pilot and three passengers. The flight was intended to deliver the passengers to the private Citron airfield. Prior to departure, the pilot performed fuel and weight and balance checks, but did not calculate required takeoff or landing distances.
Upon arriving at the Citron airfield, the pilot performed several reconnaissance turns over the runway. Although the pilot noted a downward slope on runway 34, they determined it was manageable and continued the approach. During the final stages of the landing, an unexpected tailwind component prevented the pilot from maintaining the intended touchdown point. As the aircraft rolled down the runway, the pilot applied the brakes but found them ineffective. Unable to stop the aircraft on the short strip, the plane veered longitudinally off the runway and eventually overturned.
There were no injuries among the four occupants, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's preparation and the specific characteristics of the Citron airfield. The airfield features a 300-meter runway composed of grass and laterite. Due to a significant slope and nearby obstacles, landings are performed on runway 16, while takeoffs are conducted on runway 34. While official documentation regarding the airfield's limitations exists, the pilot was unaware of these specific operational constraints.
Findings
- The pilot's insufficient flight preparation led to the decision to fly to an airfield without knowledge of its specific operational characteristics.
- The reconnaissance maneuvers performed by the pilot were inadequate to accurately estimate the landing conditions, particularly regarding the runway slope and wind effects.