What happened
On October 13, 2020, at approximately 10:25 a.m., a Cessna A-188B aircraft, registration N72091, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations in the El Mamey section of Villa Tapia, Hermanas Mirabal, Dominican Republic. The aircraft had departed from the Sabana Rey spraying strip in La Vega province to apply pesticides to a cassava plantation.
During its second flight pass, the aircraft's engine experienced a partial loss of power. In response to the emergency, the pilot executed the procedure to discharge the 140 gallons of agricultural product held in the hopper. Despite this action, the aircraft descended in a controlled manner and impacted the terrain. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft suffered substantial damage, including a broken left wing, engine mount separation, and fuselage deformation.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the mechanical condition of the Continental IO-520-D26B engine and the operational circumstances of the flight. Investigators reviewed video footage captured by local residents, which showed the aircraft discharging its load and captured the audible change in engine sound preceding the impact. Analysis of the propeller deformation—specifically the backward bending of the blades—indicated that the engine was operating at low RPM at the time of impact.
However, the investigation faced significant limitations. The operator failed to provide detailed flight experience data for the pilot and did not submit the engine to an authorized workshop for a teardown analysis. Furthermore, the investigators were unable to interview the pilot following the accident, and the pilot did not provide a formal statement regarding the event.
Findings
- The primary contributing factor was a partial loss of engine power.
- The propeller blade deformation suggested the engine was at low RPM during the impact.
- The aircraft's maintenance records showed the most recent 100-hour inspection had been completed on July 20, 2020, and the aircraft was considered airworthy at the time of the accident.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with good visibility and light winds.