Overview
On 24 January 2023 at 22:23 local time, a Piper PA-31T aircraft operating an air ambulance flight from Carriel Sur Aerodrome (SCIE) to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCEL) experienced an excursion during taxi. The aircraft, with two commercial pilots, a medical team of four, and one patient on board, veered left off taxiway "Alfa" and came to rest with its left main landing gear trapped in a ditch.
Sequence of Events
The flight had arrived at SCIE from SCEL around 21:00 local time to perform a secondary patient transfer. After loading the patient, the pilots commenced engine start and began taxiing toward runway 20 via taxiway "Alfa". According to the pilots, while taxiing, the aircraft inadvertently deviated to the left and exited the taxiway. The crew was unable to regain directional control. During the excursion, the left main landing gear became stuck in a ditch alongside the taxiway. The pilots then shut down the engines and evacuated the patient and medical team without incident.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to its left side. The left propeller blades were bent due to contact with the ground, which also caused internal damage to the left engine. The left wing exhibited dents and distortions near the nacelle and engine area, accompanied by fuel leakage. The left main landing gear leg was fractured. The right auxiliary fuel tank suffered scratches on its underside. Additionally, one left-edge taxiway light on taxiway "Alfa" was broken.
Occupants and Injuries
All six crew members and the sole patient were uninjured. The crew consisted of a pilot-in-command (age 65, Chilean, holder of a commercial pilot license with multi-engine and instrument ratings, and a flight instructor qualification) and a copilot, along with four medical personnel. The patient was the only passenger.