What happened
On December 19, 2019, a Cirrus SR22, registration LV-HPK, was conducting a repositioning flight from San Fernando, Argentina, to Punta del Este, Uruguay. The flight included a scheduled stop at Adami International Airport (SUAA) in Montevideo for customs and immigration procedures.
During the approach to runway 19, the aircraft failed to maintain a stabilized approach. The aircraft made multiple contacts with the runway surface, involving both the landing gear and the fuselage. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power to initiate a go-around; however, the aircraft failed to generate sufficient lift to become airborne. The aircraft veered to the left, exited the runway, and eventually struck the airport's perimeter fence. The impact caused significant damage to the wings, horizontal stabilizer, engine, and propeller. The pilot and one passenger evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the Uruguayan authorities examined the flight trajectory using GPS data and FlightRadar records. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's configuration and speed relative to the manufacturer's recommended operating procedures.
Technical inspections of the Cirrus SR22 revealed that the primary flight controls were fully functional and that the aircraft had been maintained according to manufacturer standards. However, investigators noted that the SD cards in the Garmin navigation panel were swapped, which prevented the recording of flight data on the primary log. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological conditions, which were stable, with winds at 13 knots from 150 degrees.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at speeds significantly below the manufacturer's recommended approach speeds for the given flap configuration.
- The approach was unstable, characterized by an excessive descent angle and insufficient airspeed.
- The pilot experienced a loss of situational awareness, evidenced by the repeated uncontrolled contacts with the runway.
- The decision to execute a go-around was made too late in the landing sequence.
- The attempt to climb failed because the aircraft's configuration and speed prevented the generation of necessary lift during the maneuver.