What happened
On July 26, 2016, at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N1994T, was performing a private flight from Dajabón to Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport (MDJB) in the Dominican Republic. During the landing sequence on runway 01, the aircraft struck the asphalt with its lower fuselage after the landing gear failed to extend. The aircraft slid approximately 210 meters along the runway centerline. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured and able to exit the aircraft on his own.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact. The pilot had initially approached runway 01 but performed a go-around after arriving too high on final approach. Upon re-establishing in the left-hand pattern, the pilot was instructed by air traffic control to follow a Cessna C-510 and land as the number one aircraft. Investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical systems, the landing gear lever position, and the pilot's flight history. The investigation also reviewed the airport's emergency response, noting that the contracted removal service lacked the necessary equipment, requiring authorities to manually lift the aircraft to extend the gear.
Findings
- The landing gear lever was in the up position at the time of landing.
- The pilot omitted the landing checklist procedure for the before-landing phase, which led to the failure to extend the gear.
- The aircraft's mechanical systems were functional; once the gear was manually extended and the system was energized, the gear locked into place correctly.
- The aircraft sustained minor damage, including a deformed propeller and a dent in the lower fuselage.
- The airport remained closed for approximately two and a half hours due to the lack of appropriate heavy lifting equipment for the aircraft removal.