What happened
On November 4, 2024, a Cessna 150C, registration LV-HCR, was conducting a flight training mission from San Rafael / S.A. Santiago Germanó to San Martín in the Mendoza province. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, while in the cruise phase, the aircraft's engine began to malfunction, resulting in a significant loss of power.
The pilot observed increased vibrations and a drop in engine revolutions per minute (RPM). After notifying air traffic control of the intention to return to the departure airport, the pilot found it impossible to maintain the flight path. Due to the uncertainty of reaching the original destination, the pilot executed an emergency landing on a rural road. The landing was completed without damage to the aircraft, and there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
Following the incident, the aircraft remained at the landing site overnight before being disassembled by technical personnel and transported to a maintenance facility at San Rafael airport. A subsequent inspection of the powerplant was conducted to identify the source of the power loss.
Findings
Technical analysis revealed that several spark plugs were malfunctioning due to carbon buildup on the electrodes, which prevented the generation of an adequate spark. Replacing the fouled spark plugs and performing necessary engine tests resolved the issue, allowing the aircraft to return to service.