Incident Overview
On July 26, 2016, at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time (17:15 UTC), a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N1994T, experienced a serious incident upon landing at Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport (MDJB) in the Dominican Republic. The aircraft touched down with the landing gear not extended, coming to rest on the runway. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a 1971 Piper PA-28R-200, was privately owned and operated. It was equipped with a Lycoming OI-360-C1C reciprocating engine and a Hartzell constant-speed propeller. The aircraft had accumulated 2,486 total flight hours.
The pilot was a 67-year-old U.S. national holding a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings. He had a total of 1,800 flight hours, including 250 hours on the accident model. His last medical examination was on May 18, 2016. On the day of the incident, he began his flight duty at 12:00 p.m. with 9 hours of prior rest.
Airport and Weather Conditions
The accident occurred at Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport (MDJB), located at coordinates N 18° 34' 20", W 069° 59' 08". The airport has a single asphalt runway (01/19) measuring 1,659 meters long by 30 meters wide, with an elevation of 30 meters above sea level. At the time of the incident, meteorological conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 km, clear skies, and wind around 8 knots. The aircraft maintained effective communication with the control tower and was equipped with VOR and GPS navigation aids, though neither was in use during the approach.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained minor damage: propeller deformation and a dent in the lower fuselage. No other damage occurred. The pilot remained uninjured.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot failed to complete the pre-landing checklist. The probable cause of the serious incident was the pilot's failure to complete the pre-landing checklist.