Preliminary Investigation of Cessna U206G Emergency Landing at Santa Elena de Uairen (YV1629)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On January 31, 2024, at 17:48 UTC, a Cessna Aircraft Company U206G, registration YV1629, serial number U20604471, departed from Santa Elena de Uairen Airport (SVSE) in Bolívar State, Venezuela. The aircraft, owned by Inversiones YV1629, C.A, was operating under a flight plan to the Escalera Indigenous Community with one pilot on board and four hours of fuel autonomy. ## Emergency Sequence and Landing At 17:50 UTC, during the initial climb phase at an altitude of 35 feet, the pilot initiated a left turn and reported hearing an unusual engine sound. Simultaneously, the pilot observed a decrease in oil pressure and a rapid loss of altitude. The pilot immediately notified the Santa Elena control tower of the emergency, requested priority for landing, and decided to shut down the engine. The aircraft made an emergency landing in a flat area adjacent to the runway threshold. The pilot disembarked without injury, while the aircraft sustained significant damage. ## Aircraft and Pilot Profile The aircraft was a single-engine land-based plane powered by a Continental reciprocating engine, classified as General Aviation - Corporate Use by the Venezuelan Aeronautical Authority (INAC). It held an FAA Type Certificate A8EA. The last preventive and scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC-N°668 Engine Aircraft C.A at Caracas International Airport. The pilot, a 50-year-old captain, held a Commercial Pilot License and Instrument Rating for single-engine land aircraft. He had 9,854.1 hours as pilot in command and 614.2 hours in the accident aircraft type in the previous year. His medical certificate was valid until February 14, 2024. ## Investigation Findings and Damage Assessment The investigation, conducted by the JIAAC, included crew interviews, document requests, and a physical inspection of the aircraft. The weather conditions were calm with unlimited visibility. Damage inspection revealed structural damage to the left wingtip, affecting both the skin and internal elements. Dents were found on the lower nose skin, and substantial damage was noted on the nose landing gear. Engine inspection identified fractured piston rings due to contact with the piston sleeve, which caused an immediate and significant decrease in engine performance. Other engine components, including the crankshaft, camshaft, and block, were found in good condition. The investigation also evaluated the fuel specifications (100-100LL) and the oil used for lubrication. ## Preventive Measures and Notifications Based on preliminary findings, the JIAAC recommended that the operator change the engine oil from 100W to a less dense 20W50, as recommended by the manufacturer, to ensure proper lubrication. The incident was reported to the ICAO ADREP system, and notifications were sent to the United States as the state of design and manufacture.