What happened
On September 17, 2011, a Cessna 2/10L, registration PT-JKV, was performing a takeoff roll at Aeródromo Santa Genoveva (SBGO) in Goiânia, Brazil. The aircraft, operated by the Mato Grosso State Secretariat of Justice and Public Security, was engaged in a cargo and passenger transport mission destined for Marechal Rondon, MT.
During the takeoff run, the nose landing gear strut fractured. This structural failure caused the propeller blades to strike the runway surface, resulting in an abrupt engine shutdown. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway in the direction of the takeoff. Despite the impact, all six occupants (one pilot and five passengers) were unharmed, and the aircraft sustained only light damage.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA VI focused on the mechanical failure of the nose gear. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft was within its maximum takeoff weight limits, ruling out structural overload due to excessive weight.
Laboratory analysis performed by the Federal Police Forensic Division revealed that the fracture of the nose gear fork was caused by low-cycle fatigue. The investigation established that repetitive overloads had initiated a crack that propagated through the component's cross-section. As the crack grew, the remaining structural area became insufficient to support standard operational stresses, eventually leading to a catastrophic rupture during a normal takeoff maneuver.
Evidence suggested that the aircraft's operational profile—which included landings on unpaved and unprepared surfaces—likely subjected the landing gear to excessive loads, accelerating the fatigue process. While maintenance records for the airframe, engine, and propeller were up to date and compliant with manuals, the internal deterioration of the gear fork was not detectable during standard inspection intervals.
Findings
- The nose gear fork failure originated from repetitive overloads that triggered a fatigue crack.
- The aircraft frequently operated on unpaved and unprepared landing strips, which increased the mechanical wear on landing gear components.
- The structural integrity of the gear was sufficiently compromised that it could no longer withstand standard takeoff forces.
- The pilot was properly licensed and experienced, and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight limits at the time of the event.