Cessna 182C Accident in Pehuajó, Argentina (LV-GMJ)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On February 14, 2021, at 21:00 UTC, a Cessna 182C with registration LV-GMJ crashed in a rural area of Pehuajó, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The aircraft was operating a general aviation flight intended to transport individuals for skydiving practice. The flight departed from Pehuajó aerodrome at 20:30 UTC. After approximately 40 minutes of flight, the engine stopped during the approach phase to Pehuajó aerodrome, prompting the pilot to execute an emergency landing. ## Crash Sequence and Damage During the emergency landing, the aircraft traveled 30 meters over a cornfield, collided with a perimeter fence, crossed a road, and impacted a ditch. It came to rest 1.9 kilometers along the extension of runway 18 at Pehuajó aerodrome. The impact caused significant damage to the fuselage, particularly the front and central sections, as well as the landing gear, wings, propeller, and engine. ## Pilot Circumstances and Injuries The pilot-in-command sustained minor injuries and was initially assisted by people in the area before being transported by ambulance to a local hospital. He was hospitalized for observation for 48 hours before being discharged. According to the pilot, another pilot was originally scheduled to fly that day but felt unwell in the afternoon and asked the pilot-in-command to take over. The pilot-in-command stated he was authorized to conduct such flights. ## Fuel and Flight Deviations The pilot reported that at the time of the pilot change, the aircraft had 35 liters of fuel in each tank, totaling 70 liters. He stated that an additional 60 liters (30 liters in each wing) were added, bringing the total to 130 liters. The flight deviated from the plan because, after reaching the planned jump altitude of 8,000 feet, one of the skydivers requested to continue to 11,000 feet. The pilot agreed, increasing the planned flight time by 10 minutes. After the skydivers jumped, the pilot began descent without issues. When passing over the aerodrome at 3,000 feet, he assessed he was too high and decided to extend the initial stage of the approach circuit. During the turn for the final approach, the engine stopped. The pilot attempted to restart it using hot air, but the attempt was unsuccessful.