Runway Excursion Involving Piper PA-A-28-181 LV-OMI at Estancia La Igualdad

Incident Overview and Flight Details On December 27, 2023, at 21:20 UTC, a Piper PA-A-28-181 with registration LV-OMI experienced a runway excursion at Estancia La Igualdad, located in Ranchos, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The aircraft was operating as a private general aviation training flight. It had departed from Coronel Brandsen aerodrome at 21:00 UTC, with the destination being the private, uncontrolled Estancia La Igualdad aerodrome. ## Sequence of Events After approximately 20 minutes of flight, the pilot observed excessive speed during the initial approach to the destination aerodrome. In response, the pilot executed a go-around maneuver to conduct a new approach circuit. During the second landing attempt, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits. It overran the end of the runway and collided with the perimeter fence. ## Investigation and Findings The incident was reported by the estate manager. Upon arrival, investigators from the Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte (JST) found that the aircraft had already been moved from the accident site without prior photographic documentation. The pilot, holding a Private Pilot License for airplanes, had a total of 182.4 flight hours, including 21.6 hours on this specific aircraft model and 3 hours in the preceding 30 days. The pilot had previously operated at Estancia La Igualdad on two occasions with this aircraft. According to the pilot's account, after landing on runway 14, the aircraft was taxied past the runway threshold to a section of terrain deemed more suitable for a 180-degree turn toward the taxiway. During this turn, a wheel became trapped in a pothole. When power was applied, the aircraft moved abruptly and struck the perimeter fence. ## Meteorological and Technical Conditions The National Meteorological Service (SMN) reported the following conditions at the time of the incident: wind from 340 degrees at 9 knots, visibility of 10 km, no significant phenomena, cloud cover of 6/8 Alto Cumulus at 3,000 meters and 7/8 Cirrus at 6,000 meters, a temperature of 26.7 °C, a dew point of 16.4 °C, sea-level pressure of 1,006.1 hPa, and relative humidity of 53%. The aircraft was certified in accordance with current regulations and maintained according to the manufacturer's plan. Functional tests of the braking system and nose-wheel steering conducted during the investigation revealed no failures. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) provides landing performance data for paved runways, including conditions up to a maximum tailwind component of 5 knots. ## Damage and Injuries The aircraft sustained minor damage to the leading edge of the left wing. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft independently and sustained no injuries. The incident was classified as an accident with minor damage, occurring during the landing phase.