What happened
On May 17, 2021, a Cessna 152, registration LV-ATE, was conducting a general aviation training flight from Morón to the Mercedes Aerodrome in Buenos Aires province. Following a routine landing, the pilot began taxiing toward runway 01 to prepare for the return flight to Morón. During this taxi phase, the aircraft struck a drainage ditch located approximately 35 meters from the centerline of runway 01/19. The impact caused significant damage to the nose landing gear and the engine mount. There were no injuries to the pilot, and the accident occurred during daylight hours with good visibility.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the physical characteristics of the Mercedes Aerodrome and the visibility of taxiway boundaries. Investigators found that the ditch, which serves as a storm drain for the movement area, was positioned within the runway strip. While the pilot had consulted aeronautical publications, including NOTAMs and the Aerodrome Manual (MADHEL), the pilot did not realize the aircraft had drifted from the taxiway centerline prior to the collision.
Field inspections revealed that the edges of the unpaved taxiways lacked the required edge markings mandated by Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations (RAAC). Furthermore, although runway 10/28 was closed via NOTAM, it lacked the necessary physical signage to indicate its closed status. The investigation also noted a deteriorated lighting system with several broken or non-functional beacons at the aerodrome.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the impact with an unchanneled drainage ditch located within the runway strip.
- The taxiway edges lacked required boundary markings, which likely prevented the pilot from noticing the deviation from the taxiway centerline.
- The drainage ditch itself constituted a hazard that, according to regulations, should be removed or mitigated whenever possible.
- Secondary safety risks were identified, including the lack of proper signage for a closed runway and a malfunctioning airfield lighting system.