What happened
On May 24, 2025, at approximately 07:00 local time, a Cessna 172N, registration TG-MSA, was conducting a flight training mission. The aircraft had departed from La Aurora Airport and arrived at the Retalhuleu Aerodrome in the department of Retalhuleu, Guatemala, with the intention of performing touch-and-go maneuvers on runway 22.
During the third touch-and-go sequence, the student pilot reported that the braking system was not responding adequately, noting that the aircraft was failing to decelerate normally and was approaching the end of the runway. To avoid colliding with a fence located at the runway terminus, the instructor pilot executed a low-speed right turn, leading the aircraft off the runway. The aircraft came to a stop among bushes near the taxiway entrance. There were no injuries to the two occupants, and the aircraft sustained no structural damage.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the UIA examined the aircraft's condition following the excursion. While the fuselage, engine, and propeller showed no visible impact damage, inspectors identified a hydraulic fluid leak on the underside of the airframe. The event was classified as a malfunction/defect under regulatory standards.
Findings
- The primary cause of the runway excursion was a failure in the landing gear braking system.
- The loss of braking effectiveness was attributed to a hydraulic leak, likely resulting from excessive wear, damage, or the malfunction of internal components, which prevented the maintenance of adequate hydraulic pressure.
Safety action
- Flight instructors and students are advised to perform rigorous pre-flight inspections, specifically verifying hydraulic levels, landing gear condition, and the absence of fluid leaks on the airframe.
- It is recommended that aircraft owners, flight schools, and Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMO) implement DGAC-approved maintenance programs for instructional aircraft, including daily inspections and functional system tests.