Accident Overview
On 16 February 2023, a student pilot was conducting her first solo flight at Aeropuerto Intl. Dr. Joaquin Balaguer (MDJB) in the Dominican Republic. The flight was local, operating within the traffic pattern. During the initial landing, the right main landing gear contacted the runway hard, causing the aircraft to bounce. The pilot then initiated a go-around, but the aircraft impacted the runway heavily on the nose gear, leading to its collapse.
Injuries and Damage
The student pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured and exited the aircraft unaided. The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the impact. No fire occurred, and there were no significant third-party damages reported.
Investigation
The Comisión Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación (CIAA) was notified on the day of the accident and dispatched investigators to the scene. The investigation is being conducted in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. This provisional declaration was issued on 16 February 2026.