What happened
On May 20, 2017, an Aviat Husky A-1, registration TG-DRY, was performing a routine landing on runway 02 at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. The aircraft approached the runway at a normal speed and touched down without initial incident. However, during the landing roll, the left main gear axle failed. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to veer, leading to significant damage to the left wing, the propeller, and the left landing gear assembly. The pilot, who was uninjured, reported that a tailwind gust lifted the right wing during the deceleration phase, contributing to the loss of directional control.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, and the mechanical state of the landing gear. Investigators found that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid and that maintenance had been performed according to the manufacturer's manuals. However, the investigation identified a lack of traceability regarding major repairs performed in 2015, following a previous accident involving the main landing gear. Specifically, there was no supporting documentation, such as Form 8130-3, to verify the certification of the components installed during that repair.
Additionally, the investigation noted a discrepancy in meteorological reporting; while the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) reported calm conditions with a southern tendency, the official meteorological station recorded a 6-knot wind from the south. This lack of precise wind information provided to the pilot may have impacted the landing execution.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the fatigue failure of the left main gear axle.
- The aircraft was unable to maintain control due to the combination of the mechanical failure and the impact of crosswind gusts during the landing roll.
- There was a lack of adequate follow-up and documentation regarding the traceability of major structural repairs performed on the landing gear in 2015.
- The ATC provided landing authorization without having the most accurate real-time wind direction and intensity data from the meteorological station.