What happened
On March 9, 2024, a Cessna 182C, registration CX-AVX, was conducting parachute jump operations near the Canelones Aerodrome (SUCN) in Uruguay. After successfully dropping four passengers at an altitude of 11,000 feet, the pilot began a rapid descent to approach the runway. During the approach, while attempting to increase power, the engine experienced a partial loss of power followed by a complete engine failure.
As the aircraft was positioned away from the active runway and trailing another aircraft, the pilot executed an emergency landing in an unprepared field planted with soybeans. The pilot, who was the sole occupant at the time of the incident, evacuated the aircraft safely and uninjured. While the aircraft sustained no damage, the soybean crop in the landing area was affected.
The investigation
The CIAIA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental conditions at the time of the event. The investigation noted that the aircraft had been modified for skydiving, including a specialized upward-opening door and a platform over the right main wheel. The pilot held a valid private pilot license and a current medical certificate.
Investigators analyzed the meteorological data, which indicated an ambient temperature of 25°C and a dew point of 21°C. The investigation also looked into the use of carburetor heat, noting that the pilot reported keeping the heat applied throughout the flight. Although the engine was restarted successfully at the aerodrome following the incident, the specific mechanical cause of the power loss could not be definitively determined.