What happened
On February 23, 2021, at approximately 18:30 UTC, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration LV-CX Or, was performing a general aviation ferry flight from Salta International Airport to La Punilla, Mendoza. During the takeoff phase at Salta, the aircraft experienced a backfire within the engine group. This malfunction prompted the pilot to immediately abort the takeoff run and return the aircraft to the apron.
The investigation
Following the incident, the crew performed a technical inspection of the aircraft to identify the source of the engine malfunction. After the checks were completed and no further issues were detected, the flight was continued to its intended destination. The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) reviewed the technical details of the event and the condition of the aircraft following the occurrence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the aborted takeoff was an engine backfire during the takeoff roll.
- There were no injuries reported for the crew or passengers.
- The aircraft sustained no damage during the event.