Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft involved was a Piper J3C65, registration CX-AEM, owned by Ráfaga Azul S.A. It was a two-seat tandem, high-wing, conventional gear aircraft with a tubular steel fuselage. The pilot held a Private Pilot license (No. 4934), male, Uruguayan, with 4938 total flight hours, including 80:35 hours in type (last recorded 24 January 2007). His medical certificate was valid until 28 February 2018.
Sequence of Events
On 8 October 2017, at approximately 17:00 local time, the pilot and a passenger departed on a recreational flight along the coast of Costa del Tigre, San José Department, Uruguay. The pilot performed a low flight over the water, then landed on the sand. After exchanging passengers, the pilot took off to the east. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft made a right turn at low altitude but could not maintain flight. The right wingtip struck the water, causing the aircraft to spin; the left wing partially detached, and the propeller broke. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft and began swimming toward shore. The passenger turned back to the aircraft and disappeared; the pilot reached the coast. The passenger's body was found the following day.
Injuries and Damage
The accident resulted in one fatal injury to the crew and one fatal injury to the passenger, according to the official report. The aircraft sustained partial detachment of the left wing, damage to the right wingtip, and propeller breakage. The aircraft was recovered from the water by the National Navy and left on the beach.
Investigation
The accident was investigated by the Uruguayan Commission for the Investigation of Aviation Accidents and Incidents (CIAIA). No probable cause was stated in the available report excerpts.