What happened
On February 3, 2010, a Cessna A-188, registration N85912, was conducting agricultural spraying operations for the Consorcio Azucarero Central in the Barahona province of the Dominican Republic. During its second flight of the day, the aircraft was climbing from 500 to 700 feet while carrying 180 gallons of agricultural product.
As the pilot increased power to complete the climb, the engine began making unusual noises, and instruments indicated low oil pressure and high cylinder temperatures. The engine subsequently suffered a total failure in flight. The pilot immediately released the agricultural load and performed an emergency landing in a wooded area near a stream in the Salinas region. The aircraft struck trees during the descent, which significantly reduced the impact speed. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the aircraft on his own.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the engine components, fuel, and maintenance records. Investigators found that the engine's oil crankcase was ruptured near cylinder number two. Specifically, the connecting rod of the number two piston had broken, which subsequently caused the breach in the crankcase.
Technical analysis revealed that because the Cessna A-188 utilizes a conventional landing gear configuration, the engine sits at an approximate 35-degree incline. This orientation allows oil sediment to accumulate, which can obstruct the lubrication injector for cylinder number two. The investigation established that the lack of adequate lubrication led to overheating and the mechanical failure of the connecting rod.