What happened
On September 25, 2009, a Piper PA-18-150 departed from the "Samuel Quimi" airstrip in El Guabo, El Oro province, for a local flight. The aircraft was operated by a commercial pilot accompanied by a private pilot passenger. The intended mission was to conduct reconnaissance of nearby plantations.
According to eyewitness accounts, the aircraft departed from runway 30, turned right, and headed north. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, while returning to the area, the pilot executed a right turn toward heading 230, descended, and struck the terrain. The initial impact involved the propeller and nose of the aircraft, which caused the propeller to detach due to the failure of its mounting bolts. The aircraft then bounced, striking the main landing gear approximately 10 meters further along, before impacting a drainage canal 30 meters downstream. The impact ruptured the wing fuel tanks, causing an immediate fire that consumed the wreckage. Both occupants sustained two fatalities due to fourth-and degree burns.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's credentials, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the organizational structure of the operating company. Investigators found that the pilot had not flown this specific model since January 2005 and had not completed the required flight review or proficiency training mandated by regulations for such a significant lapse in type currency.
Regarding the aircraft, while the airworthiness certificate was valid, several discrepancies were noted. The investigation revealed that the company's maintenance records for the airframe, engine, and propeller were incomplete, lacking service time data for recent ground runs and flights. Furthermore, the transponder had not been installed at the time of the flight, despite being a mandatory requirement for airworthiness. The investigation also highlighted that the company's maintenance management was flawed; the maintenance chief relied on a parts catalog rather than a proper maintenance manual, and technical oversight was being improperly handled by a high-level executive lacking aeronautical technical expertise.
Findings
- Loss of control during unauthorized maneuvers: The pilot attempted to perform maneuvers to re-familiarize himself with the aircraft's handling characteristics without having undergone the required regulatory flight reviews.
- Lack of pilot currency: The pilot had not operated a PA-18 since early 2005 and was accustomed to much higher-performance aircraft, which likely hindered his ability to respond to unusual flight conditions.
- Organizational failures: The company lacked proper operational control, allowing an unplanned flight to occur without a formal flight order or proper dispatch by maintenance personnel.
- Maintenance deficiencies: Incomplete documentation regarding engine and airframe service hours, along with the absence of a mandatory transponder, indicated significant lapses in airworthiness oversight.
- Improper technical management: Management of technical operations was being conducted by non-technical personnel, leading to inadequate oversight of pilot training and aircraft maintenance.