What happened
On October 15, 2025, a Cessna 206G, registration YV1797, was performing a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from the Santa Elena de Uairén Aerodrome in Bolívar State toward the Awarauka indigenous community. The aircraft, operated by Inversiones Moraima C.A., was operated by a single pilot.
After an initial climb and a normal flight duration of approximately one hour at flight level 065, the aircraft approached the destination. During the final approach, the pilot encountered adverse weather conditions characterized by strong wind gusts. Following the touchdown and subsequent landing roll, these gusts caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, resulting in a runway excursion at the end of the airstrip. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained significant damage.
The investigation
The JIAAC conducted an investigation that included interviewing the flight crew and reviewing essential documentation, such as flight logs, maintenance records, and airworthiness certificates. The investigation also involved a physical inspection of the aircraft and photographic documentation of the site and the damage sustained.
Technical inspections revealed extensive damage to the nose gear assembly, including fractures to the drag link, upper trunnion, and fork, as well as damage to the steering bungee. Additionally, the left wing sustained impact damage to the skin at the leading edge, and one propeller blade was found to be bent. The engine, main landing gear, fuselage, and empennage remained largely intact, though some minor abrasions were noted on the engine cowling.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was strong wind gusts during the landing phase.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident included easterly winds gusting between 15 and 20 knots.
- The aircraft's nose gear assembly suffered structural failures, including fractured components within the landing gear assembly.