What happened
On January 26, 2023, at approximately 20:38 UTC, an Embraer ERJ190, registered as LV-CHR, operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas, was involved in a technical incident during a scheduled commercial flight. The sequence of events began during the takeoff phase at Iguazú Airport, where a failure occurred involving one of the main landing gear gear doors.
Following this initial malfunction, the flight crew determined that there were no immediate threats to the safety of the flight and proceeded to divert the aircraft to Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) in Buenos Aires. During the landing phase at Ezeiza, the situation escalated as debris from both doors of the right-hand main landing gear detached from the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Dirección Nacional de Investigación de Sucesos Aeronáuticos (DNISAE). The inquiry focused on a documentary review of the event, examining the mechanical failure of the engine group/component and the subsequent loss of the gear door components. The investigation assessed the operational decisions made by the crew and the technical state of the aircraft's landing gear assembly.
Findings
- The primary issue originated as a failure or malfunction of a component within the engine group/system, specifically affecting the main landing gear door assembly.
- The initial failure was identified during the takeoff roll at the departure airport in Iguazú.
- The detachment of the remaining right-side gear door components occurred specifically during the landing transition at Ezeiza.
- There were no injuries reported among the crew or the passengers on board.