What happened
On March 10, 2019, a Cessna A-188-B, registration LV-ZYM, was engaged in an aerial application mission near Los Colorados, Santiago del Estero, when the aircraft experienced a significant engine malfunction. During the cruise phase of the flight, the engine failed, forcing the pilot to perform an emergency landing in a soybean field. Upon impact with the ground, the aircraft overturned.
The investigation
The investigation was significantly hindered because the event was not reported through official channels until approximately three to four weeks after it occurred. Due to this delay, the exact date of the occurrence could not be verified with certainty. Furthermore, the wreckage had been dismantled and moved to a repair facility near Añatuya prior to the investigation's commencement. Investigators relied on anonymous testimonies and available photographic evidence to reconstruct the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was identified as the fracture of the engine crankshaft.
- The lack of timely notification and the removal of wreckage from the site prevented a comprehensive analysis of the contributing factors.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the rollover, though the pilot escaped without injury.