What happened
On August 26, 2010, a Cessna 188 was performing its first agricultural spraying flight of the day from the Silok airstrip. The aircraft was loaded with approximately 120 gallons of fungicide and 44 gallons of fuel. During the takeoff roll from runway 11, the pilot observed a mule entering the right side of the runway.
To avoid a collision with the animal, the pilot executed an evasive maneuver by swerving to the left. This sudden change in trajectory caused the aircraft to pivot on its left wheel and head toward runway heading 280°. During this maneuver, the right main landing gear struck a 50 cm ground depression, resulting in structural damage to the gear assembly. Additionally, the right wingtip made contact with the adjacent terrain.
The pilot exited the aircraft without injuries, and no other persons were harmed during the incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the operational environment at the Silok airstrip and the company's safety protocols. Investigators found that the runway perimeter was poorly secured, consisting only of posts without barbed wire, which facilitated the animal incursion.
Regarding the aircraft's maintenance, the Cessna 188 was found to be in good standing, with all required inspections and Airworthiness Directives (ADs) up to date. However, the investigation revealed significant deficiencies in the operator's management systems. The company's Operations Manual lacked essential flight procedures, such as takeoff abort protocols and runway inspection procedures. Furthermore, it was noted that the pilot also served as the company's Operations Manager, a dual role that prevented adequate oversight of flight safety standards.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the lack of adequate physical perimeter fencing at the Silok airstrip, which allowed the mule to enter the active runway.
- The pilot failed to follow established emergency procedures for an aborted takeoff, specifically the instruction to release the load and apply brakes effectively.
- The operator lacked a formal procedure for inspecting runways prior to flight operations.
- A sense of complacency had developed within the company due to previous successful operations without incursions.
- There were significant administrative deficiencies in the company's Operations Manual and a lack of standardized checklists on board.