What happened
On January 30, 2018, at 13:46 local time, a Cessna 210L, registration CP-266 and 64, was performing a landing on runway 02 at Anibal Arab Fadul Airport in Cobija, Bolivia. The flight, operated by Aerotaxi Ariel, had departed from Riberalta with six occupants (one pilot and five passengers) under visual flight rules.
Approximately 350 meters from the runway threshold, the aircraft's left main landing gear tire burst. This sudden failure caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the left, resulting in a runway excursion. The aircraft struck a drainage canal adjacent to the runway, which caused significant damage to the nose and main landing gear, bent all three propeller blades, and damaged the right wing tip, leading to a fuel leak. The engine stopped immediately upon impact. Airport fire services (SEI) responded promptly, applying chemical agents to mitigate the risk of fire from the spilled fuel. All occupants evacuated the aircraft safely without injuries.
The investigation
The Bolivian Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) conducted an investigation into the event, reviewing maintenance logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller, as well as the pilot's training records and flight plan. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and rated for the operation, and the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for VFR operations, with good visibility and low wind.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a maintenance failure regarding the landing gear.
- A contributing factor was the deficient scheduling and oversight of maintenance programs, specifically regarding the adherence to manufacturer-specified intervals (50, 100, and 200-hour inspections) for the aircraft's systems.
- The aircraft's weight and balance were within operational limits, and there were no indications of engine or system malfunctions prior to the tire burst.