Hard Landing Causes Structural Damage to Cessna 206 in Leticia

Casualties unknown • Leticia, CO

A Cessna 206 sustained substantial structural damage during a hard landing at Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport due to an unstable approach and inadequate pilot experience.

What happened

On January 30, 2019, a Cessna 206, registration HK-4974, was performing an air taxi flight from Tarapacá to Leticia, Colombia. During the landing phase at Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport, the aircraft's approach became unstable. As the pilot attempted to correct the aircraft's position, the plane experienced a hard landing, causing the tail cone to strike the asphalt runway.

Despite the impact, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft and taxied it to the parking area under his own power. The pilot was uninjured. The impact resulted in substantial structural damage to the empennage, including fractures to the fuselage stringers and deformation of the tail cone and rudder skin.

Probable cause

An unstable approach and improper flare technique led to a hard landing and subsequent tail strike, exacerbated by the pilot's lack of experience and insufficient company induction.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-01-30 P206 accident near Leticia, CO?

A Cessna 206 sustained substantial structural damage during a hard landing at Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport due to an unstable approach and inadequate pilot experience.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-01-30 involved a P206, registration HK4974, at Leticia, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An unstable approach and improper flare technique led to a hard landing and subsequent tail strike, exacerbated by the pilot's lack of experience and insufficient company induction.

Loading the flight search…