On May 10, 2000, a Swearingen SA226 Metro II (registration HP-1364MAM) operated by Mapiex Aero was involved in an aviation accident near Bocas del Toro, Panama during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The specific cause of the aircraft veering off the runway remains undetermined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft veered off the runway and into a sugarcane field during landing at Bocas del Toro, resulting in no injuries but significant damage to the plane.
What happened
During the landing phase at Bocas del Toro, an aircraft lost control while on the runway. The movement caused the plane to veer off the paved surface and travel into an adjacent sugarcane field. During the excursion, the aircraft's undercarriage was lost.
Despite the impact, all eight occupants of the plane were able to exit the wreckage without sustaining any injuries. The aircraft itself sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
The exact sequence of events leading to the loss of control remains unclear.
The aircraft exited the runway and came to a stop in a field of sugarcane.
Probable cause
The specific cause of the aircraft veering off the runway remains undetermined.