What happened
On June 18, 2019, a Piper Seneca III, registration TG-SEX, was conducting a private flight toward Champerico, Retalhuleu, Guatemala. The flight was intended to visit shrimp farms in the area. During the approach to a landing strip located in the Champerico municipality, the pilot experienced a loss of power in one of the aircraft's engines.
While managing the engine issue, the aircraft impacted the ground at the landing site. The pilot survived the impact without any injuries and did not require hospital treatment. The aircraft sustained significant damage due to the impact, though the landing gear systems were found to be mechanically functional prior to the accident.
The investigation
The DGAC/UIA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact and the aircraft's mechanical state. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft was properly certified, equipped, and maintained, with 20 flight hours remaining before its next scheduled service. The aircraft's weight and balance were within limits, as no passengers or additional cargo were being transported.
Technical analysis of the aircraft systems revealed that the landing gear was not malfunctioning mechanically. Furthermore, meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with visibility and cloud cover not acting as contributing factors to the landing phase.
Findings
- The investigation established that the pilot failed to extend the landing gear during the landing sequence.
- A loss of power in one engine acted as a contributing factor, which diverted the pilot's attention.
- The pilot's focus on the engine malfunction led to the omission of critical checklist items, specifically the landing gear extension procedure.
- The pilot's decision-making during the emergency phase resulted in the oversight of established operational procedures.