Accident Overview
On November 12, 2025, at 21:42 local time, a Piper PA-31T aircraft (serial number 31T-8120028, year of manufacture 1981) operating from Aeropuerto Arturo Merino Benítez (SCEL) in the Metropolitan Region experienced an accident. The flight, crewed by an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) as pilot-in-command and a Commercial Pilot as copilot, was conducted for efficiency maintenance, departing SCEL to maintain the Santo Domingo sector in the Valparaíso Region.
Emergency and Landing
During the return to SCEL, the pilot declared an emergency due to a landing gear malfunction. The aircraft then landed on runway 17 right. After touchdown, it veered off the right (east) side of the runway and came to a stop off the paved surface.
Occupants and Injuries
The two pilots and the single passenger evacuated the aircraft unaided and sustained no injuries. The official injury table confirms zero fatalities, serious injuries, or minor injuries among the three occupants.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft was damaged. Specific damage included:
- Empennage: Left lower tail cone covering exhibited wear.
- Landing Gear: The left landing gear actuator cylinder had a fractured rod end.
- Wing: Upper wing skins showed deformation and sheared rivets near the flap track area; the inboard flap track was detached; the left wing tip fairing showed wear; the left engine nacelle rear fairing was deformed; lower left wing skins had wear marks.
- Flight Control Surfaces: Left aileron skins were deformed and worn; left flap skins worn and deformed; left elevator tip fairing worn.
Investigation Status
The investigation, conducted by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) Civil Aviation Accident Prevention Department, is in the preliminary phase of evidence collection and analysis to determine the cause of the accident and generate safety recommendations. No probable cause has been stated.