Synopsis
On 8 June 2014, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a Piper PA-25-235, registration N4691Y, operated by Superior Aviación, S.R.L., was involved in a runway excursion after landing on an agricultural airstrip in Ranchito, La Vega, Dominican Republic. The aircraft was performing an agricultural spraying operation. The sole occupant, the pilot, was uninjured. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft was a Piper PA-25-235 (serial number 25-4422), manufactured in 1967. It was a low-wing, single-engine monoplane with a fixed conventional landing gear. The engine was a Lycoming O-540 B2B5 producing 235 hp. The aircraft had accumulated 4,401.4 total hours. Its last 100-hour inspection was completed on 4 March 2014. The flight originated from the airstrip at Ranchito for agricultural spraying.
Pilot Information
The pilot, a Dominican national born on 5 May 1963, held a commercial pilot license with ratings for single-engine and multi-engine land airplanes and instrument flying. He had a total of 1,700 flight hours, including 500 hours on the accident aircraft type. His last medical examination was on 6 May 2014. On the day of the incident, he began his flight duty at 7:30 a.m. and had accumulated 2 hours in the preceding 72 hours.
Accident Sequence
After completing the spraying flight, the pilot landed on the airstrip. During the landing roll, the aircraft veered off the runway, resulting in a runway excursion.
Damage
The aircraft suffered minor damage: twisting of the front and rear supports of the right wing and twisting of the right landing gear. No damage to third parties occurred.
Weather
Meteorological conditions at the time were reported as scattered clouds, good visibility, winds between 10 and 5 knots, and a temperature of 30°C. The conditions were described as optimal for the operation.
Investigation
The Comisión Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación (CIAA) of the Dominican Republic conducted the investigation. Examination of the wreckage and operational factors led to the determination of the probable cause.
Cause
The probable cause of the incident was loss of directional control during landing due to a crosswind gust that affected the pilot's attempt to maintain directional control, causing the aircraft to exit the runway.