What happened
On March 7, 2019, a Learjet 35A, registration LV-BNR, operated by Baires Fly S.A., was performing a general aviation flight from Rosario to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires. During the landing phase on runway 13, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline. The left main landing gear made contact with the ground outside the paved surface near the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights.
As the aircraft continued its deceleration roll, it veered progressively toward the left margin, eventually crossing taxiway 4. The aircraft then skidded across the main taxiway before coming to a final stop on the grass, approximately 860 meters from the runway threshold. During the excursion, the aircraft struck two runway lights (numbers 52 and 60), which resulted in a fuel spill. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the two crew members on board, though the aircraft sustained significant damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the meteorological conditions and the aircraft's flight path. Data from the National Meteorological Service indicated that just prior to the landing, convective systems had moved over the Buenos Aires terminal, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms with southwest wind gusts. These winds, ranging between 25 and 30 knots, were interacting with urban buildings west of the runway, creating mechanical turbulence during the approach.
Investigators reviewed the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight manual data. While the crew was aware of the weather changes and had been cleared for the instrument procedure for runway 13, the CVR confirmed that strong gusts pushed the aircraft off the centerline during the flare maneuver. Technical inspections of the Learjet 35A confirmed that all ground control systems were airworthy and functioning correctly at the time of the event.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong wind gusts, during the landing.
- Intense rainfall likely reduced visual references for the crew during the final stages of the approach.
- Strong wind gusts caused the aircraft to be displaced from the runway centerline at the moment of touchdown.
- The lateral excursion occurred because the crew was unable to recover the aircraft's trajectory once the wind pushed it off the centerline.