2019 Piper PA-32-300 accident at Reyes, Bolivia (CP-1188)

Overview and flight details On 24 March 2019, a Piper PA-32-300 with registration CP-1188 and manufacturer serial number 32-7540115 was operating a visual flight rules (VFR) general flight from Reyes (SLRY) to Trinidad (SLTR) in Bolivia. The aircraft was owned by Jaime Gary Barba Zabala and operated by Servicio Aéreo Beni Express Multiservicios, based in Trinidad, Beni. The flight plan, number 017547, listed four people on board, a cruising speed of 120 knots, a visual level of 3,500 feet, an estimated flight time of 1 hour 20 minutes, and San Borja (SLSB) as the alternate aerodrome. The aircraft was a single-engine, low-wing, fixed-gear model equipped with a Lycoming 10-540-KIAS engine and a Hartzell HC-C2YK-1BF propeller. It used AV-GAS 100/130 fuel and had an airworthiness certificate number 1014, category NORMAL, valid until 12 March 2020. The pilot held a private pilot license and a valid medical certificate. ## Accident sequence The accident occurred at 15:36 local time (19:36 UTC) during the takeoff phase at Reyes aerodrome, located at coordinates S14°18'107'' W067°21'179''. The pilot filed the flight plan at the ARO/AIS office of AASANA at Reyes. The aircraft was cleared to depart runway 01. According to the investigation, the aircraft lifted off at approximately 3 meters after a takeoff roll of about 600 meters. At that point, the left wing rose abnormally, leaving the right wing lower and pulling the aircraft to the right. The aircraft deviated about 30 meters to the right of the runway centerline and contacted terrain covered with bushes and tall grass on the east side of the runway. It then slid toward the parking platform, struck concrete fence posts, and lost its right wing and all three landing gear units. The aircraft turned 90 degrees and came to rest at the edge of the parking platform. ## Injuries and damage All occupants abandoned the aircraft under their own power and were reported as uninjured. The investigation recorded no fatalities, serious injuries, or minor injuries among the pilot and four passengers. The aircraft sustained considerable damage, including: - Dents and damage to the front left fuselage. - Separation of the right wing, with severe leading-edge damage. - Separation of the landing gear. - Bending of the propeller blades, with up to 45-degree bends at the tips of both blades. - Damage to the left wingtip. - Damage to the front right fuselage from impact with the posts. ## Meteorological and aerodrome information The accident occurred in daylight under conditions suitable for VFR operations. The METAR for SLRY at the relevant time reported calm winds, unrestricted visibility, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, broken clouds at 20,000 feet, a temperature of 31°C, a dew point of 24°C, an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury, and 64% relative humidity. The runway was reported normal. Reyes aerodrome is a controlled aerodrome operated by AASANA for daytime operations. It has a 1,400 by 30 meter dirt runway, an elevation of 1,050 feet above sea level, magnetic orientation 01/19, and permits VFR traffic. The aerodrome did not have navigation aids, and the aircraft was equipped with conventional navigation equipment, including NAV, COM, and a GPS, all reported operable. The tower frequency was 118.4 MHz.