Cessna 402 Incident at Rosario International Airport (LV-JHP)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On January 22, 2025, at 12:30 UTC, a Cessna 402 with registration LV-JHP was involved in an incident at Rosario International Airport in Santa Fe, Argentina. The aircraft was operating a non-commercial relocation flight from Carcarañá Aerodrome to Rosario. During the final approach to runway 02, the crew detected smoke emanating from the left engine. The flight was subsequently aborted, and the aircraft landed safely. The incident was classified as a powerplant failure or malfunction, resulting in minor damage to the aircraft and no injuries to the two crew members on board. ## Aircraft and Maintenance History The aircraft, a 1968 Cessna 402 with serial number 402-0251, was powered by two Continental TSIO-520 engines. The left engine (position 1) had a serial number of 275449-R, while the right engine (position 2) was serial number 275448. Both engines were equipped with McCauley Propeller Systems propellers. The aircraft had a total of 5,693.3 flight hours. Notably, the aircraft had undergone periodic maintenance just seven hours prior to the incident, during which the left engine's exhaust system was removed. ## Investigation Lines The Argentine Transport Safety Board (JST) initiated a preliminary investigation focusing on several key areas. The primary lines of inquiry include the engine attachment and powerplant system, specifically investigating whether the engine's connection to the airframe may have restricted the exhaust system's ability to absorb vibrations. Additionally, the investigation is examining maintenance procedures, given that the exhaust system had been recently serviced. A specific focus is placed on the rupture of the left engine's exhaust duct, which coincided with a weld seam, prompting an examination of the welding procedures applied during the recent maintenance work.