What happened
On November 7, 2024, at approximately 17:45 UTC, an Aero Boero AB180-RVR, registration LV-AZI, was involved in a ground incident at Aeroclub Colón in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The aircraft, operated by Club Argentino de Planeadores Albatros, had just completed a specialized aerial work mission involving glider towing.
Following the landing on runway 17, the aircraft was taxiing toward the apron when it began drifting to the left. In an attempt to correct the direction, the pilot applied the right rudder pedal. This maneuver caused the tail of the aircraft to lift, leading to a direct impact between the propeller, the spinner, and the ground. The pilot exited the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The JST conducted a desk investigation into the event. The inquiry examined the mechanical condition of the aircraft and the environmental factors present during the taxiing phase. Meteorological data from the National Meteorological Service indicated that there were no significant wind factors that could have contributed to the deviation from the taxiway.
Technical inspections of the aircraft were performed after it was moved to the apron. The investigation focused on the braking system and the physical mechanics of the aircraft's movement during the corrective maneuver.
Findings
- The investigation found no malfunctions within the braking system that contributed to the incident.
- Meteorological conditions were within visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and did not present determining wind factors.
- The primary cause of the incident was the tail lifting due to the application of brakes during the pilot's attempt to correct the leftward drift, which resulted in the propeller and spinner striking the terrain.