What happened
On February 3, 2024, at approximately 15:30 UTC, an experimental Gavilán aircraft, registration LV-X569, departed from the General Rodríguez aerodrome in Buenos Aires province for a recreational local flight. During the initial climb, the pilot noted a lower-than-usual climb rate, which was attributed to high ambient temperatures.
As the aircraft entered the landing circuit and completed the turn toward the final approach, the engine exhibited anomalous behavior. Upon reducing power and applying heat, the engine suffered a total loss of power. To avoid a line of trees in the approach path, the pilot executed an emergency landing in a nearby field. During the touchdown on the uneven terrain, the right main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to slide approximately 20 meters. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) interviewed the pilot and the manufacturer, who was traveling as a passenger. The investigation focused on the aircraft's airworthiness and the circumstances of the power loss. While the aircraft's landing gear and wing sustained damage, post-accident inspections of the engine did not provide sufficient evidence to determine the exact cause of the power failure.
The investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history. It was noted that the aircraft had previously experienced a runway excursion in October 2022, which resulted in damage to the propeller and landing gear. However, the investigation could not find documentation verifying the repairs performed following that 2022 event.
Findings
- The engine experienced a significant decrease in power immediately after the aircraft completed the turn to final approach.
- The emergency landing was necessitated by the engine failure and the presence of obstacles (trees) on the flight path.
- The damage to the aircraft was caused by the impact and subsequent movement across irregular terrain.
- A lack of documented maintenance records for repairs following a previous 2022 accident prevented an assessment of the aircraft's structural integrity.
- The pilot's recent flight experience could not be verified because the flight log was unavailable for review.