What happened
On November 21, 2020, a Cessna A188B, registration TG-VUT, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations at the Finca Esperancita airstrip in San José La Máquina, Suchitepéquez, Guatemala. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft suddenly veered to the left. The deviation was caused by the structural failure of the left main landing gear. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft on his own, sustaining only a minor head injury.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation focused on the structural integrity of the landing gear and the maintenance history of the aircraft. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the left landing gear support had fractured. While the aircraft's maintenance records indicated that all scheduled services were up to date and performed by a certified organization, the specific cracks were located beneath the aircraft's paint layer, making them undetectable during standard visual inspections. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's medical certification and operational procedures, finding no issues with the crew's qualifications or the prevailing meteorological conditions, which were favorable at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the fracture of the left main landing gear support.
- The failure was attributed to material fatigue and subsequent corrosion, which led to the development of cracks.
- These cracks remained undetected during previous inspections because they were obscured by the aircraft's paint.
- The high frequency of takeoff and landing cycles associated with repetitive agricultural spraying operations likely contributed to the fatigue of the component.