What happened
On November 11, 2022, at approximately 16:30 UTC, a Cicaré C8 helicopter, registered as LV-X579, was undergoing ground testing at the Coronel Olmedo Aerodrome in the province of Córdoba. The aircraft was not intended for flight at the time of the incident. During these procedures, the right skid of the helicopter suddenly gave way, triggering a dynamic rollover. The event resulted in significant damage to both the main rotor and the tail rotor systems. One individual on board sustained minor injuries during the mishap.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure that occurred while the aircraft was stationary on the ground. Investigators examined the structural integrity of the landing gear and the sequence of events leading to the sudden collapse of the right skid. The analysis confirmed that the incident was a ground-based occurrence involving no flight phase, specifically categorized as a ground incident (SCF-NP).