Piper PA-34-200 Runway Excursion at Palma de Mallorca (EC-HOK)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On Sunday, August 31, 2003, at approximately 05:20 local time, a Piper PA-34-200 with registration EC-HOK landed on runway 24L at Palma de Mallorca Airport. The aircraft, powered by two Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 engines, was operating a general aviation, non-scheduled cargo flight from Barcelona. The pilot, a 27-year-old commercial pilot, held a valid license with 2,200 total flight hours, including approximately 1,500 hours on the aircraft type. ## Sequence of Events Prior to landing, the pilot requested authorization for a long landing to exit the runway via taxiway H-7, located at the runway's far end. Upon reaching the final section of runway 24L, the pilot initiated a right turn to enter taxiway H-7. However, the aircraft's trajectory deviated from the taxiway's centerline, following a path between the centerlines of taxiways H-7 and H-8. This caused the aircraft to leave the paved taxiway and continue rolling on the grass strip. ## Impact and Damage While off the taxiway, the left engine's propeller struck a vertical signage sign (holding point 06R) positioned between taxiways H-7 and H-8. The impact caused minor damage to the aircraft, including the left propeller, left wing, and nose radome. The sign was severely damaged. Due to the limited extent of the damage, the aircraft was able to taxi under its own power to the parking area. Both occupants remained uninjured. ## Contributing Factors and Conclusion The pilot reported losing orientation due to poor lighting and the absence of centerline lights on the taxiway, though airport records confirmed that the centerline and edge lights for taxiways H-7 and H-8 were fully operational and illuminated at the time of the incident. The pilot did not realize the aircraft had left the taxiway until hearing the impact. Given the pilot's extensive familiarity with the airport and the operational status of the lighting systems, the investigation concluded that the incident was probably caused by a distraction experienced by the crew during the runway exit maneuver.