What happened
On February 5, 2023, a Cessna A185F, registration HK2370G, was performing a private VFR flight from Guaymaral to Medellín. The flight proceeded normally until the landing phase at Olaya Herrera Airport (SKMD). While landing on runway 02, the aircraft encountered sudden wind gusts and wind shear.
During the landing roll, the pilot attempted to correct a directional deviation by applying differential braking. This maneuver caused the aircraft to veer abruptly to the right, creating significant centrifugal force that shifted the load from the right main gear to the left. Consequently, the left wing struck the runway surface. The aircraft traveled approximately 421 meters before coming to a stop. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft on his own.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the aircraft's structural condition, meteorological data, and the pilot's operational techniques. The inspection revealed significant damage to the left wing, including deformed spars, buckling of the wing skin, and a detached wingtip. Damage was also noted on the horizontal stabilizer, the elevator, and the left main landing gear rim.
Meteorological analysis using METAR and GDAS data confirmed the presence of variable winds and low-level wind shear. The investigation noted that the aircraft's conventional landing gear configuration (taildragger) made it particularly sensitive to the lateral gusts experienced during the landing roll. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted that the operator lacked a formal Safety Management System (SMS), which limited the pilot's ability to systematically evaluate the risks associated with the known wind conditions at the aerodrome.
Findings
- The primary cause was the loss of control on the ground resulting from the pilot's overcontrol of the directional steering and improper use of differential braking in response to variable wind conditions.
- The pilot failed to properly anticipate or utilize appropriate techniques for landing in known wind shear and variable wind conditions.
- Contributing factors included fluctuating wind direction and intensity at the aerodrome during the landing phase.
Safety action
- A recommendation was issued to operators to enhance theoretical and practical training for landings involving conventional landing gear in strong, variable, and crosswind conditions.
- A recommendation was issued to the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia to disseminate the findings of this report to Cessna 185F operators to improve safety management practices.