What happened
On March 19, 2026, a privately owned Cessna 188 AgHusky (registration LV-FNC) was conducting a non-scheduled flight over the province of Santiago del Estero in Argentina. The aircraft departed from an unspecified airfield within the region and was en route when the incident occurred. The pilot-in-command, a male operator, was flying under visual meteorological conditions with calm winds at 6 knots.
During the flight, the aircraft encountered a fuel-related issue that led to engine power loss. Despite the pilot's efforts to manage the situation, the aircraft was forced to land in a cultivated field characterized by crops and tall vegetation near Ardiles. The impact occurred at approximately 80 knots with the aircraft maintaining a level nose attitude and wings level orientation. The pilot successfully evacuated the aircraft two minutes after the incident. The Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was not carried on board.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) conducted an inquiry into the occurrence. Key technical details established include:
- Aircraft: Cessna 188, serial number 0043, manufactured in 2014.
- Engine: Continental (Teledyne) USA 470 family engine, serial 132665-6-R, with 5,110.8 total hours.
- Propeller: McCauley Accessory Div model 2A34C203C/G90DCA2, age 56 years.
- Fuel Type: Reciprocating engine fuel - Grade 100 LL.
The investigation noted that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid and maintenance documents were current. The pilot held an Aeroplane pilot license issued by the State of Registry. Weather conditions at the time included visibility of 9,999 meters and a surface wind of 6 knots from 30 degrees.
Findings
The primary causal factor identified was fuel starvation due to insufficient fuel supply to the engine. The investigation highlighted that the aircraft's central fuel tank could not adequately support the engine's demands during the flight phase, leading to the loss of power. This mechanical limitation or operational oversight resulted in the forced landing.
- Fatalities: 0
- Injuries: 1 (minor)
- Damage: Substantial
Safety action
The JST report categorized the safety issues under aircraft performance and limitations, specifically noting the fuel system's inability to sustain engine operation. No specific regulatory recommendations were detailed in this preliminary data set beyond the identification of the fuel-related hazard.