Cessna U206G accident at Guiria aerodrome (YV1172)

Incident overview and flight details On 26 May 2026, a Cessna Aircraft Company U206G with registration YV1172 operated a flight from Guiria aerodrome (SVGI) to the Uon-Quen indigenous community aerodrome (SVUQ) in Bolívar State, Venezuela. The aircraft was fueled with 110 liters and departed at 15:34 UTC, landing without incident at 15:59 UTC. It then departed SVUQ at 16:35 UTC for SVGI with eight people on board: the pilot, five passengers, and two children. ## Approach and accident sequence The return flight was conducted under visual flight rules at a visual flight level of 6,500 feet. About 20 minutes into the flight, during final approach to Guiria aerodrome, the pilot reported encountering windshear. This caused an immediate loss of lift and approach instability. Falling below the glide path, the pilot attempted to land before the runway threshold, selected a location to minimize injury and damage, shut down the engine, and touched down in that area. The aircraft traveled approximately 20 meters before the nose gear struck an obstacle and fractured, causing the aircraft to overturn. The crew and passengers were unharmed, and the aircraft sustained significant damage. ## Aircraft, maintenance, and pilot The aircraft was powered by a Teledyne Continental IO-520-F six-cylinder horizontally opposed air-cooled engine, serial U20605167, using Avgas. Its maximum takeoff weight was 1,633 kg, and it was certified for general aviation private use. At the time of the event, it held a valid certificate of airworthiness issued by INAC. Maintenance was performed by OMAC No. 706, Sky Dreams Aviation C.A., located at Arturo Michelena International Airport in Valencia, Carabobo State. The pilot-in-command was 52 years old and held a valid commercial pilot license and medical certificate from INAC, with ratings for instrument flight and single-engine land aircraft (C182, C206) valid through 13 August 2026. ## Investigation and findings Investigators requested aircraft, crew, and maintenance records, inspected the aircraft, interviewed the crew, and photographed the damage. The nose gear was found detached from its fittings, with a fractured drag link, upper trunnion, and fork; the steering bungee, shimmy damper, and related fitting were damaged. The main landing gear was in good condition. The McCauley propeller blades, hub, and spinner were damaged, while the engine itself showed no damage or leaks. Damage was also noted to the engine cowling, fuselage skin, tail surfaces, elevators, rudder, and left wingtip and leading edge. The right wing was in good condition. The investigation was still analyzing technical, operational, and documentary information, with the final report pending. The event was reported to ICAO’s ADREP system, and the United States, as the state of design and manufacture, was notified and assigned an accredited representative.