Narrative
The aircraft departed Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert Airport at 2012LT on a scheduled service (flight PST982) to Bocas del Toro-Capitán José Ezequiel Hall Airport. On board were 32 passengers and three crew members. Ten minutes prior to arrival, the crew received weather information indicating moderate rain, calm wind, and a wet runway. Two minutes before landing, the copilot confirmed sight of the runway and the crew was cleared to land on runway 27.
After touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the right, leaving the paved surface and entering grassy, soft ground. The undercarriage was lost, and the aircraft collided with a concrete wall, causing the right wing to shear off. The airplane slid out of control for a few meters and came to rest 13 meters to the right of the runway and 720 meters from the runway 27 threshold. All 38 occupants were rescued; one crew member sustained serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified several findings and contributing factors. The flight dispatch did not provide sufficient accurate meteorological information for the flight. The approach to Runway 27 was conducted using unauthorized RNP procedures. A possible sedative effect from medication taken by a flight crew member may have affected his performance. Data from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) indicated a slight deviation to the right and a correction in the final seconds. FDR data from the final moments demonstrated abnormal or uncontrolled operation. Oscillations and extreme values in the control column suggested a struggle to maintain control or a response to unusual forces. While the flap configuration and speed management during the final 200 feet could be consistent with an attempt at a controlled landing, the flight dynamics in the final seconds showed operation outside the limits and procedures for safe control. Additional factors included failure to comply with dispatch procedures for weather information, lack of supervision of ground handling, the crew's decision to continue the flight, the pilot-in-command not taking control for landing, poor visual conditions (dark runway surface, visibility reduced by rain), an approach deviating right of the centerline with an unstable landing, and throttle and lever positions: left engine at Ground Idle, right at Takeoff Power; left fuel lever in Shut-off, right in Start; flap lever in UP.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was determined as: the aircraft veered to the right of the runway centerline during the approach; after it made contact with the ground, it lost control, resulting in a runway excursion (RE) on that same side.