Engine failure leads to agricultural aircraft crash in La Altagracia

Casualties unknown • DO

A single-engine agricultural aircraft experienced engine power loss during takeoff, resulting in an emergency landing and an inverted rollover in a sugarcane plantation.

What happened

On August 11, 2011, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a Grumman-Schweizer AG CAT-164A, registration HI 672, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a sugarcane plantation near Batey Baiguá, La Altagracia. The aircraft was engaged in the application of urea fertilizer. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experienced abnormal engine performance and a subsequent loss of power. This forced an emergency landing on irregular terrain. Upon impact, the aircraft flipped and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage, including a deformed vertical stabilizer, broken wing leading edges, and a damaged propeller.

The investigation

The CIAA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's credentials, and the fuel handling procedures at the operator's facility. Investigators inspected the engine components, including the spark plugs, which showed no anomalies. The investigation also included a physical inspection of the fuel containers used by the operator, Aries Dominicana. Furthermore, the commission reviewed the pilot's training records and the methods used for refueling the aircraft.

Findings

  • The investigation identified that the fuel used to refuel the aircraft was significantly lighter in color than the standard autogas, indicating degraded fuel.
  • The refueling process was found to be inadequate, as fuel was transferred from containers into the aircraft using plastic buckets and hoses.
  • There was no documented evidence that the pilot had received formal specialized training for aerial application/fumigation operations.
  • The operator lacked an effective safety management system for handling and inspecting fuel quality.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was the use of degraded fuel, which led to engine power loss during the critical takeoff phase. This was compounded by the failure to implement proper fuel inspection procedures during the refueling process.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2011-08-11 aircraft accident near DO?

A single-engine agricultural aircraft experienced engine power loss during takeoff, resulting in an emergency landing and an inverted rollover in a sugarcane plantation.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2011-08-11 involved a aircraft, registration HI-672, at DO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was the use of degraded fuel, which led to engine power loss during the critical takeoff phase. This was compounded by the failure to implement proper fuel inspection procedures during the refueling process.

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