What happened
On February 23, 2017, a Canadian-registered Cessna 210, registration C-FRZZ, was conducting a private recreational flight from La Aurora International Airport to Los Altos Aerodrome in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. The flight was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in favorable weather conditions, despite some haze reducing visibility to 6,000 meters.
Upon arrival at Los Altos Aerodrome, the aircraft experienced an incident during the landing phase. The aircraft departed from the runway environment, resulting in damage to the airframe. Both the pilot and the passenger survived the event without requiring hospitalization.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the operational procedures followed by the crew. Investigators examined the wreckage and the landing gear system. The investigation confirmed that the landing gear retraction and extension system was fully operational and free of mechanical failure. Furthermore, the aircraft was found to be in compliance with its airworthiness certification and maintenance requirements as established by Canadian regulations. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was within its weight and balance limits, as it was carrying only one passenger and no significant cargo.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the landing with the landing gear in the retracted position, which deviated from standard operating procedures.
- The pilot failed to properly follow the aircraft's checklist during the critical phases of flight.
- There were no mechanical malfunctions identified in the landing gear system.
- The physical and psychological state of the pilot was found to be acceptable, with no evident human factors contributing to the error other than procedural non-compliance.