Flight Summary
On 26 November 2011, a pilot began practical training on a Trush S2R aircraft under the supervision of an instructor at the Quevedo airfield (Cenepa Special Forces Air Group). The training started with taxiing exercises, followed by ten takeoffs and landings, all completed without incident. During the final landing, the aircraft touched down on the center of the runway but, after rolling a few meters, veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation, but the aircraft abruptly departed the runway onto the shoulder, fracturing the landing gear and impacting the propeller against the ground. The aircraft rotated 180 degrees and came to rest facing the opposite direction of landing.
Injuries
One crew member (the pilot) sustained minor injuries. No passengers were aboard.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained significant damage, including deformation and fracture of tubular structures in the forward turbine support area, wing attachment areas, and main landing gear attachment area. The hopper was cracked and its base damaged. Both main landing gears were destroyed; the tail skid appeared undamaged. Both wings suffered structural damage: main spars were broken and deformed at attachment holes, the left wing had skin impact marks and misalignment, and the right wing had damage to the flap actuator bearing. The engine was presumed to have internal damage from the propeller strike. All three propeller blades were bent at angles of 15, 35, and 90 degrees, and the hub was damaged. The chemical spray pump and boom were destroyed.
Personnel Information
The pilot, a 37-year-old Ecuadorian national, held a valid Commercial Pilot License. According to information provided to the investigating board, his total flight time was 1,867.1 hours, including 1.3 hours on the Trush S2R. Recent flight times: 161.4 hours in last 90 days, 144.7 in 60 days, 76.5 in 30 days, and 29.0 in 7 days.
Aircraft Information
The Trush S2R aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate. Maintenance records indicated that scheduled maintenance had been performed per manufacturer recommendations and applicable airworthiness directives. No repetitive discrepancies were noted in recent flight logs, and no maintenance deficiencies were found.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions were suitable for visual flight, with good visibility, few clouds, and no significant phenomena.
Communications
The pilot was in contact with the flight information service at Quevedo. Communications were clear, and the pilot did not report any malfunctions or abnormalities.
Aerodrome Information
The Quevedo runway, oriented 18/36, is 1,400 meters long and 25 meters wide, with an asphalt surface. Elevation is 103 feet. Wind direction indicators and wind socks were available as navigation aids.
Impact and Wreckage
The aircraft touched down 250 meters from Runway 18 threshold, then traveled 251 meters before departing the left side of the runway. The landing gear was destroyed by impact forces, and the propeller contacted the ground. No parts separated during the accident. The aircraft performed a 180-degree rotation about its vertical axis.
Survival
The pilot's harness and seatbelt withstood the forces. The pilot exited the aircraft unassisted, sustaining only minor injuries.
Investigation Findings
A review of the company's operations manual showed that while some accident prevention activities were documented, they were insufficient and not implemented. The company lacked records of hazard reports, safety bulletins, and periodic inspections by the operations department to maintenance areas and operating airfields.
The pilot had received agricultural pilot training at an approved school in Brazil, recognized by the Ecuadorian DGAC, and had been flying a Cessna C-188-T for the company. The company obtained authorization for the pilot to receive theoretical and practical training on the Trush S2R, which was conducted under an instructor. The practical phase included ten takeoffs and landings.
Analysis
The board's analysis of video footage and pilot statements indicated that the accident was caused by an overcorrection by the pilot when attempting to correct a deviation. The pilot stated that after the tail settled, he felt the aircraft moving left and applied a correction, but the correction was abrupt and prevented him from centering the aircraft on the runway.
Material factors were not contributory, as the aircraft was in good technical condition. Weather and runway conditions were not factors.
Probable Cause
The accident investigation board determined that the probable cause was a loss of control of the aircraft on the ground by the pilot due to an overcorrection in directional control.