What happened
On November 13, 2023, at approximately 23:15 UTC, an Airbus Helicopters BK117-C2, registration LQ-FKA, was conducting a general aviation flight to transport a provincial official. The aircraft, operated by the Provincial Directorate of Civil Aviation (DPAC) of Santiago del Estero, departed from Vice Comodoro Ángel de la Paz Aragonés Airport for Villa Ojo de Agua.
After 50 minutes of flight under visual meteorological conditions, the crew attempted to land on a soccer field. During the final approach, the aircraft made abnormal contact with the ground. The impact caused damage to the left skid beam, necessitating a full structural replacement of the left side of the landing gear assembly. There were no injuries to the two crew members or the two passengers on board.
The investigation
The JST investigation examined the operational environment and the technical aspects of the landing. Investigators found that while the landing site was a soccer field, the surface consisted of both grass and exposed earth. The investigation also reviewed the communication between the flight crew and the ground support team, noting that while information regarding obstacles and wind was shared, there was no specific consultation regarding the ground condition or whether the surface had been watered.
Furthermore, the JST examined the institutional framework of the DPAC. It was established that while the organization utilized ground support to verify landing sites, these tasks were not formalized within a documented procedure. The investigation also noted a lack of specific regulations for the operation of public aircraft by provincial agencies at the time of the event.
Findings
- The landing surface had not been watered prior to the operation.
- During the final approach, the airflow from the main rotor blades kicked up loose dirt from the ground.
- The crew experienced a loss of visual reference with the terrain due to the brownout effect, which was further complicated by the nighttime conditions.
- The aircraft performed a hard landing.
- The DPAC lacked formalized operational procedures for these types of missions.
- Previous safety recommendations regarding similar incidents involving public aircraft had not been fully addressed by the regulatory authority.