What happened
On December 27, 2023, a Piper PA-A-28-181, registration LV-OMI, was conducting a general aviation training flight from Coronel Brandsen to the Estancia La Igualdad aerodrome in Ranchos, Buenos Aires. During the initial approach to the destination, the pilot identified excessive airspeed and performed a missed approach to execute a second landing attempt.
During the second attempt, the aircraft failed to decelerate within the runway boundaries. The aircraft overran the end of the runway and collided with a perimeter fence. The impact caused damage to the leading edge of the left wing. There were no injuries to the two occupants, who evacuated the aircraft on their own.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft' and the site conditions. The pilot, who had 182.4 total flight hours, reported that after landing on runway 14, they attempted to taxi past the threshold to find better ground for a 180-degree turn. The pilot stated that a wheel became caught in a pothole, causing the aircraft to veer sharply into the fence. However, investigators found no evidence of such potholes or runway deterioration.
Technical inspections of the Piper PA-A-28-181 revealed that the braking and nose gear steering systems were fully functional. The investigation also noted that the aircraft had been moved from the accident site before the JST could perform photographic documentation.
Findings
- The landing was performed with an 8.5-knot tailwind, which exceeded the maximum 5-knot tailwind limit specified in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH).
- This tailwind increased the aircraft's ground speed, necessitating a longer stopping distance than available.
- Ground markings indicated a runway excursion at the end of runway 14, contradicting the pilot's account of a post-landing taxi incident.
- The investigation identified that the aircraft was moved from the scene without authorization from the JST.