Overview
On 29 April 2017, a Cessna 182P single-engine aircraft, registration CP-641, operated as a private flight, suffered an accident at San Lorenzo de Moxos, Beni, Bolivia. The aircraft was on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Trinidad (SLTR) to San Lorenzo de Moxos.
Aircraft and Flight Information
The aircraft, a Cessna 182P (serial number 18234967), was manufactured in 1974 and equipped with a Continental O-470-L engine and a McCauley 2A34C203 propeller. It held a restricted airworthiness certificate valid until September 8, 2017. The flight was conducted under flight plan number 0034550, departing Trinidad at 16:42 local time. On board were one pilot and three passengers, all Bolivian nationals.
Accident Sequence
According to witness statements, as the aircraft was about to touch down on the runway, a cow unexpectedly emerged from the bush and struck the right landing gear, detaching it from the airframe. The impact caused the aircraft to veer to the side of the runway. The pilot applied engine power to initiate a go-around, but the aircraft could not sustain flight. It overran the runway threshold, rolling over posts and perimeter fencing before coming to rest approximately 50 meters beyond the south threshold in a small pond belonging to a brick factory.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial structural damage, including to the fuselage, wings, landing gear, and propeller. The fuselage had damage to skin, ribs, and longerons in the mid-section, as well as structural damage to the cabin, roof, firewall, floor, and instrument panel. The right wing had leading edge and skin damage on both upper and lower surfaces; the left wing had similar damage. Landing gear supports and structure were damaged. The propeller was considered a total loss. Additionally, posts and fencing at the south end of the runway were damaged. There was no debris dispersion; the aircraft slid approximately 100 meters before stopping.
Weather Conditions
The accident occurred in daylight under visual meteorological conditions. The 16:00 local time METAR for San Ignacio de Moxos (SLSM) reported wind from 150 degrees at 6 knots, unlimited visibility, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, temperature 27°C, dew point 17°C, and QNH 1014 hPa. The 17:00 METAR indicated similar conditions with few clouds at 8,000 feet.
Pilot Information
The 25-year-old male pilot held a Bolivian Private Pilot License with a single-engine land rating. He had a total of 492 flight hours, with 120 hours on the Cessna 182 type. His Class 2 medical certificate was valid until March 7, 2018.
Probable Cause
The accident investigation report did not explicitly state a probable cause within the provided excerpts.