What happened
On June 8, 2014, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a Piper PA-25-235 agricultural aircraft, registration N4691Y, was performing an aerial spraying operation in Ranchito, La Vega, Dominican Republic. After landing on the compacted aggregate runway, the pilot applied the brakes, at which point the aircraft experienced a loss of braking effectiveness on the right side. This caused the aircraft to yaw sharply to the left and exit the runway.
During the excursion, the right landing gear collapsed, leading to the right wing striking the ground. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured and able to evacuate the aircraft on his own. The aircraft sustained minor damage, specifically involving the right wing support structure and the right landing gear.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation included a visual inspection of the aircraft at the scene, interviews with the pilot, and a technical examination of the flight controls and engine. Investigators also performed GPS mapping of the event location and reviewed maintenance records. The aircraft had undergone its 100-hour inspection in March 2014 and was considered airworthy at the time of the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the runway excursion was a progressive fatigue failure within the internal structure of the right landing gear rim.
- The structural failure of the rim occurred upon landing, which subsequently caused the tire to tear and lose pressure.
- The sudden loss of stability during braking led to the aircraft veering off the runway and the subsequent wing strike.
- The investigation noted that aircraft used for agricultural spraying often operate on irregular surfaces, which can lead to accumulated fatigue in landing gear components.
- It was also noted that the aircraft was moved from the incident site without prior authorization from the CIAA.