Piper PA-31T1 Wingtip Contact During Landing at Chacalluta Aerodrome

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On August 14, 2024, at 00:08 local time, a Piper PA-31T1 aircraft was involved in an aviation occurrence at Chacalluta Aerodrome (SCAR) in Arica, Chile. The aircraft, manufactured in 1979 with serial number 31T-7920053, was operated by an air operator holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) No. 002. The flight was a secondary medical transfer (air ambulance) mission. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 engines and equipped with Hartzell HC-B3TN-3 propellers. ## Flight Operations and Landing The flight crew consisted of a Pilot in Command holding an Airline Transport Pilot license and a Commercial Pilot. Three passengers were also on board. During the landing on runway 02, the left wingtip of the aircraft made contact with the runway surface. The crew maintained radio contact with air traffic control prior to the occurrence and reported no discrepancies. ## Damage and Injuries The impact resulted in two longitudinal wear areas on the underside of the left wingtip fuel tank. The forward wear measured 40 x 4 centimeters, and the rear wear measured 33 x 5.5 centimeters. No fuel leaks, dents, or damage to the tank mounting points were observed. The landing gear, wing surfaces, and other systems showed no damage. All five occupants (two pilots and three passengers) were uninjured and exited the aircraft under their own power, assisted by on-duty personnel. The Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) did not activate because the impact did not generate sufficient acceleration forces. ## Maintenance and Investigation Status The aircraft's last 100-hour inspection was completed on July 12, 2024, at 11,544.4 flight hours, 87.5 hours before the occurrence. The maintenance organization was approved by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) and qualified for the aircraft type. The investigation, conducted under ICAO Annex 13 and Chilean regulations, is in the final report presentation stage.