What happened
On July 24, 2011, a Rockwell Thrush Commander 600, registration TG-WER, was involved in an aviation accident in the vicinity of Finca "La Pesca," located in the municipality of Champerico, Department of Retalhuleu, Guatemala. The aircraft was operating in an area where meteorological conditions at the time were reported as clear with good visibility, though volcanic activity from Santa Maria was noted in the region.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the DGAC/UIA examined the aircraft's maintenance history, engine records, and the environmental conditions at the time of the occurrence. Investigators reviewed recent maintenance logs, which indicated that the aircraft had undergone a 50-hour service and a 100-hour inspection earlier in 2011. These records included checks of the landing gear, braking system, and engine components. The investigation also analyzed meteorological reports from the Champerico and Retalhuleu stations to determine the impact of weather on the flight path.
Findings
- The aircraft had recently undergone significant maintenance, including a 100-hour service in May 2011, which involved corrosion checks and landing gear inspections.
- The engine, a Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN-1, had been serviced with an oil change and spark plug cleaning shortly before the accident.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were characterized by CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) conditions, with winds from the southwest at approximately 5 to 6 knots.
- The specific cause of the loss of control or impact was not explicitly detailed in the provided summary of the sequence of events, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.