Accident Overview
On May 10, 2014, a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration I-GRMP, departed from Mother Theresa Airport in Tirana (LATI), Albania, at 10:25 UTC, en route to Pescara (LIBP), Italy. After takeoff, the aircraft proceeded under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at 3,000 feet. At approximately 11:52 UTC, the aircraft disappeared from radar while over Divjaka Beach.
Final Phase of Flight
According to radar data and video recordings from a national TV channel, the pilot executed a normal landing procedure on the beach, including a circle to assess the landing area. The landing gear was down, and the aircraft was leveled normally until touchdown. However, the exact touchdown time could not be determined.
Aircraft Damage
Upon landing, the aircraft contacted soft sand. The nose gear encountered a bump and immersed in the sand. The weight and speed of the aircraft caused the nose gear and its supporting structure to break. The bottom of the nose then dragged on the sand, leaving white marks. The propeller blades cut into the sand and bent, causing the aircraft to turn left. The left landing gear subsequently separated from its support structure after dragging in the sand. The left wing sustained damage during the ground slide. The damage was substantial, rendering the aircraft unable to operate.
Pilot Condition and Other Damage
Only the pilot was on board, according to the flight plan and follow-me documentation. The pilot did not suffer any injuries. No other persons or property on the ground were damaged. There was no fire. The pilot exited the aircraft unassisted after it stopped, and the cabin did not sustain substantial damage that would endanger the pilot.
Communication and Flight Rules
Communication between the pilot and air traffic control was noted to be not fully compliant with ICAO English standards; the pilot provided confused information, while controllers used English and Italian. The flight was conducted under VFR. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, as not required for VFR operations.
Meteorological Conditions
Meteorological data indicated CAVOK conditions at the accident site. There was thermal and dynamical stability at lower altitudes, with no local meteorological phenomena that would have affected the flight.
Investigation Actions
The National Investigation Body of Air Accidents and Incidents in Civil Aviation (OKIIA) was notified via television news on the day of the accident. Investigators visited the site and interviewed the pilot. The Italian ANSV was notified as the state of registry but declined to send investigators to the site, offering assistance with documentation.