What happened
On February 5, 2024, at approximately 08:30 UTC, a Piper M350, registration LV-KKL, was involved in a ramp incident at San Fernando International Airport in Buenos Aires. The aircraft was positioned at a private hangar and was preparing to begin taxiing toward the commercial apron. During the initial phase of the maneuver, the pilot applied power to overcome the aircraft's inertia. This sudden movement caused the hangar doors to derail from their tracks.
As the doors became detached, one of the hangar doors fell backward, striking the aircraft. The impact resulted in damage to the Piper M350.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation focused on the sequence of events during the aircraft's startup and taxi procedures. Investigators examined the mechanics of the hangar door's detachment and the physical interaction between the falling door and the aircraft. The incident occurred entirely on the ramp area of the airport, specifically during the transition from the hangar area to the taxiway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the application of power to break inertia during the start of the taxi maneuver.
- The force generated by the aircraft's movement was sufficient to cause the hangar doors to derail.
- The structural failure of the door's positioning led to the door falling onto the aircraft, causing the observed damage.