What happened
On October 16, 2021, at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time, a VAN'S Aircraft RV4, registration UL-TI-095, was conducting a private recreational flight consisting of takeoffs and landings at the Aranjuez Aerodrome in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The aircraft was operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with a pilot and one passenger on board.
As the aircraft approached the final segment of its landing pattern, the pilot executed a sudden, semi-acrobatic maneuver. This action caused the aircraft to suffer an aerodynamic degradation, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a ditch containing a small stream. Both occupants sustained serious injuries and were transported to a medical center for emergency treatment.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft, with significant damage to the fuselage, wings, stabilizers, propeller, and engine. There was no evidence of fire before or after the collision, though the accident caused minor environmental damage due to fuel and oil spills into the stream.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the UAI-CETAC, focused on analyzing photographic evidence of the wreckage and tracks found at the scene. Investigators also attempted to contact the aircraft owner and passenger to obtain formal statements, though coordination for interviews was unsuccessful at the time of the provisional report. As of the reporting date, the investigation was approximately 65% complete.