Flight History
On 31 August 2008 at approximately 08:46 local time, a Cessna A-188, registration N-85912, owned by Consorcio Azucarero Ingenio Barahona, was conducting solid fertilizer application operations. The pilot, Miguel Ángel Flaquer Ceballos, was performing the sixth flight of the day from the runway of María Montes Airport in Barahona. During the takeoff roll, after the aircraft reached about 35 knots, the pilot felt a strong vibration in the tail. Simultaneously, the aircraft began to veer left. The pilot attempted to correct with rudder pedals but received no response. Applying opposite brake also yielded no braking effect. The pilot then reduced engine power, and the aircraft turned sharply to the right, exited the runway, and came to a stop approximately 20 meters from the runway centerline. The pilot felt a jolt from the abrupt stop. Post-event inspection revealed a fractured tailwheel support base, a twisted right main landing gear, and a broken wheel rim on the right side.
Injuries
The pilot was uninjured. No other persons were on board.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained a broken tailwheel support base and a damaged right main landing gear, including a twisted gear leg and a broken wheel rim.
Personnel Information
The pilot, Miguel Ángel Flaquer Ceballos, held license 476PC and was qualified for agricultural aircraft operations. His last check date was not specified. The maintenance technician, Adriano Félix Mejia Guaba, held license 185 TMA with engine and structure ratings.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a 1974 Cessna A-188, serial number 18802001T. Total airframe hours were 4,080.2. The engine was a Teledyne Continental IO-520-D23 with 333 hours since new. The propeller was a McCauley D2A34C98-NO/S90AT with 174 hours. The airworthiness certificate validity was unknown.
Weather
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were: temperature 28°C, wind from the east at 5 MPH, visibility more than 10 miles, relative humidity 70%, barometric pressure 29.97 inHg, dew point 73°F.
Investigation Findings
The investigation included a post-accident inspection, evaluation of damaged components, photographs, examination of impact marks, and interviews with the pilot and maintenance technician. It was determined that on 2 July 2008, the aircraft had undergone a repair involving installation of a tailwheel support. The support installed had a diameter of 1 1/8 inch, whereas the original required a 1-inch diameter. To adapt the larger support, a bushing was used. The bushing was made of bronze, a non-certified material. The tailwheel support itself showed advanced corrosion both externally and internally. The technician who performed the repair did not verify the authenticity of the part, which was later identified as a bogus part. The aircraft lacked an effective maintenance program.
Cause
The cause of the event was the failure of the tailwheel support due to advanced corrosion deterioration. Additionally, the support installed was not the one required by the manufacturer for this aircraft model.
Safety Recommendations
The investigation commission recommended that the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) enhance surveillance of maintenance work on agricultural aircraft to prevent use of non-approved parts and ensure maintenance practices comply with regulations.