What happened
On June 9, 2021, at approximately 07:30 local time, a Piper PA-22 (registration TI-ATK) was performing a recreational local flight from Tobías Bolaños Palma International Airport. While attempting to land on Runway 06 at Arenal Aerodrome (MRAN) in the Alajuela province, the aircraft made contact with the runway surface and subsequently began veering toward the right side of the strip.
The pilot attempted to correct the directional deviation, but the maneuver was unsuccessful. The aircraft exited the active runway into the safety area, where the pilot lost control. The aircraft eventually entered a ditch and collided with the aerodrome's perimeter fence, causing damage to two fence posts and the surrounding wiring.
The investigation
The investigation focused on analyzing human performance and the interaction between the crew and the operational environment, specifically examining runway conditions and meteorological factors at the time of the event. At the time of the report, investigators were evaluating the sequence of events following the landing contact to determine why the directional control could not be maintained.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained major damage, including fuselage deformation, propeller damage, and structural damage to the left wing, landing gear, and the tubular and fabric components of the airframe.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
- The primary factor in the excursion was the inability to maintain directional control after the aircraft's initial contact with the runway.