Synopsis
On 1 November 2015, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registration N3024N, operated by owner Hermann R. Leis, was conducting a transfer flight from Ángel S. Adami International Airport (SUAA) to Salto International Airport "Nueva Hespérides" (SUSO). The aircraft carried the pilot and four passengers. During landing on runway 23, the aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted. After sliding approximately 30 meters, it lifted off, and as the landing gear nearly fully extended, the aircraft veered to the right. It exited the runway, struck a visual aid sign with the left wing, and came to a stop with the right main landing gear retracted. The pilot and passengers evacuated the aircraft unharmed. No fire occurred.
Aircraft and Flight Information
The aircraft was a 1979 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II, serial number 32R-7987099, with a Lycoming TIO540-S1AD engine. It had a retractable tricycle landing gear system. The flight was a daytime transfer between SUAA and SUSO. Weather was reported as calm wind by the pilot. Communications with the control tower were clear and routine.
Accident Sequence
According to the investigation, the aircraft first contacted the runway surface with the landing gear retracted. The underside of the aircraft and the propeller blades struck the pavement multiple times over a distance of about 30 meters. The aircraft then became airborne briefly. As the landing gear extended almost fully, the aircraft veered to the right. It departed the runway surface, entered the right runway shoulder, and the left wing struck an informational sign. The aircraft stopped a few meters beyond the sign. The right main landing gear remained retracted in the final position.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The propeller blades exhibited folded and abraded tips. The left wing leading edge was damaged from impact with the sign. The flaps were damaged from contact with the runway surface. An adjacent runway and taxiway sign was destroyed.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 57-year-old Uruguayan male holding a Private Pilot license (Uruguayan and US). He had logged 1,953.17 total flight hours as of 30 May 2015, including 55.51 hours on the accident aircraft type. His Uruguayan medical certificate was expired as of 31 October 2015; his US medical was valid through 2 October 2016. No aircraft checklist was found on board.
Investigation
The investigation found that all aircraft documentation was in order and current. Post-accident testing of the landing gear system showed that the right main gear could not be retracted independently when the aircraft was on jacks; other gear operations functioned per manufacturer specifications. The pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer's operating checklist was noted in the analysis as affecting procedural execution. The probable cause was not stated in the report.