What happened
On February 25, 2025, at approximately 23:20 UTC, a Cessna 152, registration LV-OOL, was conducting a private pleasure flight departing from the San Rafael Aerodrome in Mendoza, Argentina. While operating in the cruise phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a powerplant failure or malfunction.
Following the loss of engine power, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude, and the aircraft descended into a grassy field located approximately 5 km southwest of the aerodrome. During the landing sequence, the aircraft overturned before coming to a complete stop. Despite the substantial damage to the airframe, the pilot survived the event with no injuries.
The investigation
Investigators from the JST conducted a field examination of the wreckage and collected several critical components for laboratory analysis. The investigation focused on the engine and ignition systems to identify the source of the power loss.
During the physical inspection, investigators recovered fuel and lubricant samples from the engine. Additionally, three spark plugs were removed from the engine for testing. Preliminary examination of these spark plugs revealed a significant accumulation of residue between the electrodes and the ceramic insulators, a condition known as fouling.