What happened
On June 6, 2014, at approximately 8:30 a.m., a Cessna 207, registration HI 882, was performing a commercial passenger flight from Punta Cana International Airport to Arroyo Barril Aerodrome in Samaná, Dominican Republic. Following a normal landing on runway 11, the aircraft's nose landing gear collapsed. The collapse caused the propeller to strike the runway surface and resulted in abrasions to the nose gear fairings. All six occupants (one pilot and five passengers) were able to evacuate the aircraft on their own without injury.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation included interviews with the pilot, a visual inspection of the aircraft at the apron, and a review of flight controls and maintenance records. The investigation noted that the aircraft had undergone a 100-hour/annual inspection as recently as March 12, 2014, and was considered airworthy at the time of the event. Investigators also noted that the aircraft was towed to the apron without following established protocols for serious incidents, which hindered the technical analysis of the scene.
Findings
- The primary contributing factor was a material failure: the progressive fatigue failure of the upper bolt on the drag link.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the landing were favorable for flight operations.
- The pilot's medical and toxicological tests were negative for all substances, and no physiological impairments were identified.
- The aircraft sustained minor damage to the propeller tips and the nose gear fairings.