What happened
On February 14, 2018, at approximately 8:08 a.m., a Cessna A-188B, registration N-2451J, was performing agricultural spraying operations over a rice plantation in Los Cacaos, Jima, Bonao, Dominican Republic. During the flight, the aircraft struck a shield wire (guard cable) located between high-voltage transmission towers. The impact caused the aircraft to lose control and crash into trees before striking the ground with high energy. The pilot, a highly experienced commercial pilot, sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed. The collision also caused damage to the electrical power lines.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the operational environment, the aircraft's maintenance status, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators noted that the area of operation contained several intersecting high-voltage networks, which present a significant hazard for low-altitude aerial application. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's extensive flight experience, noting over 30,000 total flight hours and 15,000 hours in this specific model. Maintenance records were reviewed, confirming the aircraft had a valid 100-hour inspection performed in September 2017.
Findings
- The aircraft's left wing struck the high-voltage shield wire, leading to the loss of control.
- Reduced visibility due to heavy cloud cover and high humidity likely prevented the pilot from identifying the wires in time to avoid the collision.
- The presence of complex, intersecting power lines in the flight path created a high-risk environment for the spraying mission.
- The aircraft was in an airworthy condition with no mechanical failures contributing to the crash.