Synopsis
On 10 December 2021 at 13:23 UTC, a Cessna 172 E, registration CP-3060, experienced a sudden engine RPM drop during the initial climb phase after departing from Trinidad Aerodrome (SLTR) in Beni, Bolivia. The aircraft was on a flight to San Lorenzo de Moxos with the pilot, one passenger, and a cargo of provisions. Following the power loss, the pilot decided to return to the airport. While maneuvering for landing, a traffic conflict arose with another aircraft that was taking off from the same runway. The pilot executed a forced landing in a marshy field north of the aerodrome. Upon touchdown, the nose gear sank into the soft ground, causing the aircraft to invert. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft unaided and were taken to a medical facility in Trinidad with minor injuries.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident aircraft was a 1974 Cessna 172 E, serial number 17251519, powered by a single engine and fixed-pitch propeller. The aircraft was owned and operated by Alejandra Mejía Montenegro. The pilot, a 34-year-old Bolivian male, held a private pilot license valid for single-engine land aircraft up to 5700 kg maximum takeoff weight, with a current second-class medical certificate. His license was issued on 14 October 2021, and he received a Cessna 172 endorsement on 27 October 2021. Total flight time was not specified in the report.
Accident Sequence
The flight originated from Trinidad Aerodrome, Runway 32. After takeoff at 13:21 UTC and reaching a safe altitude, the pilot began a left turn to depart the runway heading. During this turn, the engine RPM dropped sharply. The pilot immediately turned right to align with Runway 14 and instructed the passenger to communicate with air traffic control (ATC) and declare an emergency. The passenger made the emergency call at 13:22 UTC, requesting to return.
At that time, ATC authorized the departure of another aircraft, a Cessna 206, which began its takeoff roll on Runway 32 while the distressed Cessna 172 was turning back. ATC instructed the departing aircraft to turn right and vacate the runway path, but the pilot of the Cessna 206 could not comply and continued on the runway heading, preventing the Cessna 172 from landing. The pilot of CP-3060, seeing the runway occupied, extended his turn and lost altitude. Recognizing he could not reach the runway, he chose to land in a field adjacent to the runway. The terrain was marshy, causing the nose gear to sink and the aircraft to overturn.
Injuries and Damage
Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including deformation of the fuselage, nose gear collapse, damage to the engine compartment and propeller, and structural deformation of the cabin, access door, rear fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. No other property was damaged.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was not stated in the provided source material.