Incident
On an unspecified date, a Cessna 500 aircraft, registration YV2892, departed Simon Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) at 18:50 UTC for a flight to General in Chief Santiago Mariño International Airport (SVMG) on Margarita Island. On board were two crew members and three passengers. The flight proceeded normally until the approach to SVMG, where the crew was cleared to land on runway 09. During the landing rollout, after the aircraft straightened for touchdown, a right-side tilt and strong vibration occurred. The captain applied the brakes and informed the first officer of a suspected right tire burst. The aircraft experienced a strong pull to the right, causing it to deviate from the runway centerline. The captain and first officer increased braking on the left pedal to apply differential pressure, preventing the aircraft from exiting the right side of the runway. The aircraft came to a stop near intersection B. The crew and passengers were uninjured, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, a Cessna 500 (serial 500-0121), was powered by a single Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine and had a fixed tricycle landing gear. It was privately owned and held a valid airworthiness certificate issued by the Venezuelan Aeronautical Authority (INAC). The 32-year-old captain held a Commercial Pilot License with instrument and C500 captain ratings valid until June 2026. The 37-year-old first officer held a Private Pilot License with instrument and C500 copilot ratings valid until March 2026.
Investigation Findings
The investigation included interviews with the flight crew, document reviews, and inspections of the landing gear, brake system, tires, and runway. Inspectors found that the right main tire had been damaged by foreign object debris (FOD) on the runway. The brake system had minor damage from the tire burst and subsequent braking. The left main and nose landing gear were undamaged. Corrective actions included replacing the tire and brake assembly, followed by a satisfactory operational check.
Probable Cause
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes (JIAAC) determined that the probable cause of the incident was FOD found on the runway.