What happened
On January 8, 2025, at 15:10 UTC, a Piper PA-11, registration LV-YNT, was involved in a flight control accident near Salta, Argentina. The aircraft had arrived at General Belgrano Aerodrome earlier that day and had undergone routine pre-flight inspections.
During the takeoff roll from runway 05, the pilot noted that the aircraft took longer than usual to lift its tail and perceived a sluggish acceleration. Despite these observations, engine parameters appeared normal, and the pilot continued the takeoff. After the initial climb, the pilot reduced power to preserve the engine and initiated a left turn. As the aircraft reached a 30-degree bank angle, it failed to maintain its flight path. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power and pitched the nose down to increase airspeed. However, the aircraft continued to descend, and the pilot was unable to level the flight path. An attempt was made to perform an emergency landing in a nearby rugby field, but the aircraft lost control and struck trees and vegetation in a wooded area.
The investigation
The investigation into the accident is ongoing. Authorities are currently examining the potential relationship between meteorological conditions and the aircraft's performance during the flight. Additionally, investigators are awaiting a technical report regarding the functionality of the airspeed indicator at the time of the event to determine if instrument failure contributed to the loss of control.