What happened
On March 5, 2019, a private Cessna 182P, registration CP-1250, was conducting a local test flight near Santa Ana del Yacuma, Bolivia. The aircraft departed at 08:58 local time under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). While the flight proceeded normally for approximately 30 minutes, the pilot declared an emergency at 09:38 during the final approach to runway 33, reporting a mechanical failure.
The aircraft subsequently struck a marshy area approximately 1,500 meters from the threshold of runway 33. The impact caused damage to one propeller blade, the nose gear support, the engine cowling, and the left wingtip fairing. The pilot was able to evacuate the aircraft safely on his own and received assistance from airport personnel; no injuries were reported.
The investigation
The Bolivian Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engine and maintenance records. Investigators examined the aircraft's logs, including those for the airframe, engine, propeller, and pilot. Post-accident inspections of the engine revealed no external damage, but investigators discovered water in the carburetor float chamber. The investigation also reviewed the maintenance history provided by the approved maintenance organization (OMA) and evaluated the pilot's qualifications and flight experience.