What happened
On May 12, 2026, a Cessna U206G, registration YV1665, was operating a flight from La Paragua Aerodrome to the Uriman indigenous community in Bolívar State. After completing an initial leg of the flight and returning to La Paragua, the aircraft departed again at 15:50 UTC for a second trip to Uriman, carrying a pilot and one passenger.
Approximately 40 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 6,500 feet under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) near the Las Bonitas community, the pilot observed fluctuations in the fuel flow instrument. This was followed by a loss of engine power, a decrease in RPM, and severe thrust instability. Ultimately, the engine suffered a complete shutdown due to fuel starvation.
The pilot attempted emergency procedures according to the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) and checklists, but was unable to restart the engine. Realizing they could not reach a suitable runway, the pilot executed an emergency descent and identified a landing site near the Las Bonates community. The aircraft performed a forced landing, sliding approximately 50 meters before coming to a stop. There were no fatalities or injuries to the crew or passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage.
The investigation
The investigation involved a physical inspection of the aircraft, interviews with the crew, and a review of maintenance records from the certified maintenance organization (OMAC N° 208). Authorities inspected the engine, propeller, landing gear, and fuselage.
Technical inspections revealed significant damage to the nose gear, including a fractured drag link, fractured upper trunnion, and a fractured fork. The McCauley propeller sustained damage to two blades. Additionally, the aircraft's cowling and left wing-tip showed signs of impact or stress. The Teledyne Continental engine was taken into custody for further analysis to determine the root cause of the failure.