Synopsis
On 19 October 2011, a Cessna A188B aircraft, registration N8130G, operated by Consorcio Azucarero Central (C.A.C.), experienced a ground incident after landing at the Batey 4 airstrip in Bahoruco Province, Dominican Republic. The aircraft had completed a 45-minute agricultural spraying flight and was returning to the eastern end of the runway when it skidded on the left main landing gear, causing the gear to fold inward and the left wing to strike the ground. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured, and the aircraft suffered minor damage.
Factual Information
The flight departed at 06:30 a.m. local time from the Batey 4 airstrip for herbicide application on sugar cane fields. After landing east-west, the pilot taxied approximately 300 meters before initiating a turn to return to the eastern threshold. During the turn, the aircraft skidded on the left main landing gear, which collapsed. The left wing then impacted the runway surface and the adjacent embankment.
The pilot, a 51-year-old Dominican national, held a commercial pilot license with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. He had accumulated 2,350 total flight hours, with 1,000 hours in the Cessna A188B. His most recent medical examination was on 1 April 2011.
The 1973 Cessna A-188B (serial 18801243T) was a single-engine, low-wing agricultural aircraft with conventional landing gear. It was powered by a Continental IO-520D engine (230 hp) and equipped with a McCauley two-blade propeller. The aircraft had 6,525 total hours and had undergone a 100-hour/annual inspection on 30 August 2011. No mechanical malfunctions were reported prior to the incident.
The Batey 4 airstrip was 900 meters long and 18 meters wide, with a compacted aggregate surface and an embankment approximately 3 feet high along most of its length. Weather conditions at the time were calm winds, visibility greater than 10 km, and a ceiling above 2,000 feet.
Examination of the aircraft revealed no pre-impact failures. The brake system, including the left brake assembly, was tested and found to be in optimal condition with no leaks or pressure loss.
Analysis
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the ground turn. After landing, the pilot initiated a left turn to position for a right turn back to the departure end. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost directional control, resulting in a skid that overstressed the left main landing gear. The gear collapsed, allowing the left wing to contact the ground.
No evidence of mechanical failure was found in the aircraft's systems, including the brakes and landing gear. The pilot's experience and currency were adequate for the operation. Environmental conditions were favorable.
Conclusion
The incident was attributed to a loss of control during ground maneuvering, leading to a ground loop and subsequent structural damage.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not specify a probable cause in the provided report.