What happened
On December 16, 2023, at approximately 18:00 local time, a Piper PA-18 was conducting takeoff and landing practice maneuvers at the Los Cedros Aerodrome (SCED) in the Maule Region of Chile. During an attempt to land on runway 19, the aircraft encountered crosswind conditions. As the pilot was executing the landing roll, the aircraft drifted toward the right side of the runway and exited the paved surface. The aircraft eventually came to a stop 18 meters to the right of the runway, having struck the walls of an existing ditch.
There were no injuries reported for the pilot or the single passenger on board. However, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft and the site conditions following the excursion. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's structural integrity was compromised upon impact with the ditch. Specifically, the inspection revealed significant deformation to the fuselage behind the firewall, damage to the wing struts, and a deformed left-wing spar, which caused both wings to sag. The landing gear legs collapsed, and the propeller sustained blade deformation and fractures at the tips. The windshield was also found to be fractured.
Regarding environmental conditions, while regional meteorological reports indicated a weak anticyclonic pattern with no significant weather phenomena predicted, local observations provided different context. The pilot reported that wind indicators at the airfield showed winds between 10 and 12 knots. Specifically, during the landing on runway 19, a crosswind was present from the 270-degree direction (from the right of the landing heading).
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the aircraft drifting right during the landing roll due to crosswind conditions.
- The aircraft's position 18 meters off the runway was the result of the impact with the banks of a ditch located adjacent to the runway.
- The aircraft sustained major damage to the wing structure, landing gear, propeller, and fuselage.
- The pilot and passenger were able to egress the aircraft independently, and safety harnesses functioned as intended.