What happened
On April 16, 2022, a Cessna A-152, registration LV-OFS, departed from the Necochea aerodrome in Buenos Aires province for a recreational flight. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 1,500 feet and roughly 80/80 meters from the coastline, the pilot experienced intense engine vibrations followed by a total loss of power. The pilot immediately directed the aircraft toward the shore, performing an emergency landing on a beach south of Necochea. While the beach was populated at the time, no injuries were reported to people on the ground, and the occupants of the aircraft exited the plane unharmed, though the engine sustained significant damage.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) conducted a detailed examination of the engine components and lubricant. Investigators discovered substantial damage to the left side of the engine block. Upon disassembling the engine, it was revealed that the third connecting rod had completely detached from its crankshaft journal. This separation caused the destruction of the bearings and subsequent impacts that damaged the engine block, piston, and cylinder.
Laboratory analysis of the crankshaft showed a fracture at the journal corresponding to the failed rod, with evidence of extreme overheating prior to the break. Furthermore, the lubrication oil contained visible metallic particles. Chemical analysis of the lubricant revealed concentrations of aluminum and copper significantly higher than expected levels, suggesting heavy wear of internal components. The investigation also noted that the lubrication hole was deformed and obstructed, which likely contributed to the failure. Regarding maintenance, while the aircraft's last annual inspection was recorded in July 2021, there were no documented records of the required periodic maintenance (typically every 25, 50, or 100 hours) for the 243.2 flight hours accumulated since that inspection.