What happened
On March 23, 2009, at approximately 1:30 P.M., a Jetstream BA 3201, registration HI-856, was performing a flight evaluation at the Presidente Arias Fernández International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic. The flight, operated by Servicios Aéreos Profesally, was conducting an instructor competency check involving several ILS approaches to runway 17.
During the landing roll, the right main gear tire exploded. This sudden failure caused the aircraft to lose directional control and veer toward the right, eventually exiting the runway surface. Both occupants on board, the pilot being evaluated and the flight inspector, were uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, weather conditions, and the actions of the crew. The aircraft was found to be in an airworthy condition, having undergone a continuous airworthiness inspection in December 2008. Meteorological conditions at the time of the incident were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 miles and winds from the south-east at 8 mph.
The investigation also noted a lack of cooperation from the IDAC operations inspector, who did not comply with requests for a formal statement. However, statements from the pilot being evaluated established that the inspector was seated in the left seat, which is the only position in this aircraft type from which the nose wheel steering can be operated during ground operations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the excessive application of brakes, which led to a system obstruction and the subsequent explosion of the right main gear tire.
- The tire burst caused the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline toward the right.
- The pilot being evaluated was seated in the right seat, a position that lacks access to the steering wheel for ground maneuvering.