What happened
On March 3, 2016, a Thrush Aircraft S2R, registration TG-DMF, was performing a short flight to a destination near Morales, Izabal, for agricultural spraying operations. The aircraft was returning to its base at the Bananera airstrip when the incident occurred. Upon touchdown on the runway, the aircraft experienced a structural failure of the left main landing gear. This failure caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the left, resulting in significant damage to the landing gear strut, the propeller, and the engine. The pilot was able to stop the aircraft without striking any obstacles, and no injuries were reported.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the physical wreckage, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators found that the aircraft was properly certified for agricultural operations and that the pilot held all necessary licenses and ratings. Maintenance records indicated that the shock absorber components had been replaced in December 2015. The investigation also noted that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact, as evidenced by damage to the propeller blades. While meteorological conditions were favorable, investigators observed a lack of wind direction indicators, such as a wind cone, at the airfield.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the imminent fracture of the upper base of the left main landing gear shock absorber strut.
- This structural failure caused the aircraft to deviate from its landing path immediately upon contact with the runway.
- The fracture showed evidence of linear tension stress; while this type of damage is atypical for this component, the investigation noted that the number of takeoff and landing cycles may have contributed to the fatigue or failure.
- The aircraft was not carrying any chemical payload at the time of the accident, as it was returning to base rather than proceeding to the spraying site.
- There were no findings of mechanical malfunctions in the engine, propeller, or basic navigation instruments.