What happened
On February 4, 2022, a Cessna 207A, registration OB-2179, was conducting a scheduled sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines, departing from María Reiche Newman Airport. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and five passengers.
During the takeoff roll, witnesses on the ramp reported hearing unusual noises coming from the engine. Despite these sounds, the takeoff proceeded. As the aircraft attempted to climb, the tower controller observed significant difficulty in maintaining altitude. The pilot radioed the tower to indicate an intention to return to the airport. However, during the initial right-hand turn, the aircraft lost substantial altitude and entered an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground near a roadway, triggering a post-crash fire that consumed the wreckage. The accident resulted in seven fatalities.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the CIAA examined the engine's condition, maintenance records, and crew performance. Investigators discovered significant mechanical discrepancies within the engine's combustion system. Post-accident analysis revealed that the cylinder bores exceeded maximum wear tolerances and the piston ring gaps were beyond allowable limits. Furthermore, the investigation found that an incorrect-range "hot" spark plug had been installed, which degraded engine performance.
Regarding maintenance oversight, the investigation identified failures in the maintenance and certification processes of the approved maintenance organization (OMA). Specifically, there were discrepancies in compression measurement records and a lack of technical justification for certain inspection intervals. The investigation also noted that the crew utilized an incorrect takeoff configuration, using 0° flaps instead of the required 10° for a flight near maximum takeoff weight, and failed to follow established emergency checklists during the power loss.