Synopsis
On 28 May 2023, a Cessna U206G, registration OB-1247, operated by Aero Palcazu S.A.C., was performing a passenger transport flight from Yurimaguas Airport (SPMS) to the Bellavista airstrip in Jeberos, Loreto, Peru. The aircraft carried one pilot and five passengers. The flight proceeded without incident until the landing phase.
At 13:15 local time, the pilot touched down on runway 05 after a stabilized approach. During the landing roll, the brake system failed to respond adequately; the brake pedal traveled to its full extent. The pilot pumped the brakes, regaining partial effectiveness. However, as the aircraft approached the end of the airstrip, with a ravine ahead, the pilot deliberately turned left to avoid overrunning. Due to inertia, the right wing struck the ground, causing significant damage to the wing surface. The aircraft came to a stop within the airstrip boundaries. The pilot shut down the engine and coordinated the evacuation of all five passengers, who were uninjured.
Factual Information
The aircraft was a Cessna U206G, serial number U20606478, manufactured on 1 January 1982. It was registered in Peru with certificate No. 00536-2020. The airworthiness certificate (No. 22-014) was valid from 7 February 2022 to 6 February 2024. Total time since new was 14,150.3 hours. The engine was a Teledyne Continental IO-520F, serial number 1007040, with a TBO of 1,900 hours.
The pilot held a Commercial Pilot Airplane license with single-engine and multi-engine land ratings, as well as an instrument rating. Total flight time was 5,512.39 hours, with 1,800 hours on the Cessna U206G. The pilot held a valid Class I medical certificate expiring 31 July 2024.
Damage to Aircraft
During the landing excursion, the right wing impacted the terrain, resulting in significant damage to the wing structure. No other damage to the aircraft was reported.
Injuries to Persons
Neither the pilot nor the five passengers sustained any injuries. The report lists no fatalities, serious injuries, or minor injuries.
Conclusions
The investigation determined that the loss of brake effectiveness was due to a hydraulic fluid leak caused by a cracked brake line (Line Assy-Brake P/N 1280506-145) on the left main landing gear. The crack resulted from material fatigue associated with pitting corrosion, which in turn was caused by deterioration of the anti-corrosion coating and exposure to a highly corrosive environment.
Probable Cause
The probable cause is the loss of effectiveness of the braking system due to a hydraulic fluid leak caused by the cracking of the brake line (Line Assy-Brake P/N 1280506-145) on the left main landing gear, resulting from material fatigue associated with pitting corrosion caused by deterioration of the anti-corrosion coating and exposure to a highly corrosive environment.