2021 Cessna Citation II runway excursion at Valle de la Pascua (YV3124)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On August 13, 2021, at 15:15 UTC, a Cessna Citation II (registration YV3124, serial 550-0079) departed from San Fernando de Apure Airport (SVSR) for Valle de la Pascua Aerodrome (SVVP). The aircraft, owned by Inversiones Actal 232, C.A., was carrying nine people, including the pilot-in-command and first officer, along with 2,700 pounds of fuel. ## Sequence of Events During the landing phase, specifically during the flare and initial touchdown, the aircraft encountered irregularities in the touchdown zone, including a depression. This caused the aircraft to bounce. When the crew applied the brakes, they did not respond. The crew subsequently shut down the engines, but the aircraft had already reached the end of the runway, resulting in a runway excursion into the safety area at Valle de la Pascua. All occupants were uninjured, and the aircraft sustained significant damage. ## Aircraft and Crew Status The Cessna Citation II was airworthy at the time of the incident, holding a valid certificate of airworthiness. The 53-year-old pilot-in-command held a commercial pilot license and instrument rating, with 670 hours in the type and 9,229.48 total hours. The 42-year-old first officer held a commercial pilot license and instrument rating, with 1,500 hours in the type and 7,082 total hours. ## Investigation Findings Preliminary inspections revealed damage to the nose gear actuator, torque link assembly, steering actuator, and rear nose gear door. Both left and right pitot-static probes and their mounting areas were damaged, and material was lost from the lower fuselage skin between stations FS 89.00 and FS 117. The brake system was found to be in perfect condition. The runway was noted to have material wear, excessive vegetation, and terrain irregularities due to deterioration. ## Preventive Measures and Notifications The investigating authority recommended that the aeronautical authority inspect the runway conditions and verify crew competency in the aircraft type. In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, the incident was reported to the ICAO ADREP system, and the United States, as the state of design and manufacture, was notified. The NTSB was identified as the investigating authority for the state of design and manufacture.