What happened
On April 1, 2022, at approximately 19:30 UTC, a Piper PA-11, registration LV-YOD, departed from the Miramar aerodrome in Buenos Aires province for a recreational flight. While cruising at an altitude of 530 feet, the aircraft experienced two sudden drops in engine power. In an attempt to return to the airfield, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn, during which the engine experienced another fluctuation and eventually ceased operation entirely. The pilot performed an emergency landing in a soybean field, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft's left wing, main landing gear, and the lower engine section. Both occupants exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, maintenance records, and environmental factors. Maintenance logs indicated the aircraft was compliant with all regulations, and the pilot held a valid private license with approximately 56.7 flight hours. Post-accident inspections of the fuel system, including the carburetor, fuel lines, and filters, revealed no contamination; laboratory analysis confirmed the fuel was appropriate AV-GAS 100 LL 3. Additionally, testing of the magnetos and spark plugs showed they were in optimal working order.
While the impact damaged the intake manifold, subsequent engine tests performed after replacing the manifold showed no evidence of mechanical issues prior to the accident. Meteorological data from the National Meteorological Service indicated favorable surface conditions, but investigators noted the potential for carburetor icing under certain power settings.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred during the cruise phase, leading to the emergency landing.
- Technical inspections of the engine, fuel, and ignition systems found no definitive mechanical cause for the power loss.
- Although the aircraft was in cruise power, the investigation identified a possibility of severe carburetor icing associated with low-power regimes.
- The pilot did not attempt to use the carburetor heat during the engine fluctuations, though it could not be determined if doing so would have prevented the failure.