What happened
On December 17, 2011, a Cessna 188 was conducting takeoff and landing training maneuvers at the Quevedo airfield in Ecuador. The pilot had successfully completed six consecutive operations without incident. However, during the seventh landing, the right main landing gear strut failed upon contact with the runway.
Following the structural failure, the pilot declared an emergency and elected to remain airborne for approximately 34 minutes to burn off excess fuel and plan a safe recovery. During the subsequent landing attempt, the pilot managed the aircraft by making initial contact with the left main gear. As the aircraft decelerated, the collapsed right side eventually made contact with the pavement, causing the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the runway. The aircraft finally came to a stop 670 meters from the threshold of runway 18. The pilot evacuated the aircraft without any injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the landing gear and the operational procedures followed during the emergency. Investigators examined the wreckage, including the detached right gear strut, wheel assembly, and brake components. Metallurgical testing was conducted by the Escuela Polité梸nica Nacional to analyze the fractured component.
Investigators also reviewed maintenance logs, which showed no prior reports of abnormalities regarding the landing gear. The meteorological conditions at the time were found to be favorable, with clear visibility and light winds, ruling out weather as a contributing factor. Additionally, the investigation noted that the operator's accident prevention plan was not being effectively implemented in practice.