What happened
On September 7, 2013, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a Jabiru-400 aircraft, registration HI 832EX, was conducting instructional flight maneuvers at Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The flight, which was a training session involving an instructor and a student, consisted of practicing touch-and-go landings.
Following a successful initial landing, the crew attempted a takeoff roll. As the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 40 knots, it began to veer to the right accompanied by noticeable vibrations. The pilot attempted to correct the directional deviation using left rudder input, but the aircraft failed to respond to the controls. This resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear, causing the aircraft to tilt heavily to the right. During the excursion, the right wingtip and the propeller blades struck the ground. Both occupants of the aircraft escaped without injury.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the mechanical integrity of the landing gear assembly and the pilot's corrective actions. Investigators examined the wreckage and identified significant damage to the aircraft, including a broken nose gear axle bushing, propeller tip damage, and damage to the engine cowling and right wingtip.
Technical analysis revealed that the nose gear's axle bushing, which was constructed of fiberglass, had undergone progressive deterioration. The investigation established that the material was unable to withstand the operational stresses placed upon the gear during the maneuver.