What happened
On September 1, 2021, at 19:24 UTC, a Cessna 2/06G, registration CP-3104, was performing a cargo flight transporting provisions from El Trompillo to the Asunta private airstrip in the Beni Department. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a low approach to assess wind and runway conditions.
During the landing phase, the pilot executed a short-field approach. As the aircraft made contact with the runway at idle power, the nose gear assembly failed, causing the nose wheel to detach and roll ahead of the aircraft. The propeller subsequently struck the ground, resulting in an abrupt deceleration and engine shutdown. The impact caused the aircraft's tail to lift momentarily before returning to a level position. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped without injury, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, nose gear assembly, and minor damage to the engine cowling and right wing.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the operational environment. Technical inspections revealed that the nose wheel detachment was caused by a fracture in the wheel axle support. While the aircraft had recently undergone a progressive inspection (No. 4) which included checks of the nose gear components, no defects or part replacements were recorded.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience and the airfield's status. The pilot had significant total flight time but lacked recent operational continuity with this specific aircraft model and had no prior experience operating at the Asunta airstrip. Furthermore, the airfield was in the process of registration and certification; it was noted that trees encroaching on the transition surface had not been removed due to the airfield's location within a natural reserve, creating obstacles for standard approaches.
Findings
- The hard landing caused by an increased approach speed was the probable cause of the accident.
- Contributing factors included the presence of runway obstacles (trees) that had not been mitigated by the operator.
- The pilot's lack of recent experience with the specific aircraft type and lack of familiarity with the destination airfield increased operational risk.
- The operation was conducted at an airfield that was not yet fully authorized or certified by the Bolivian Civil Aviation Authority (AAC).