What happened
On April 26, 2025, at approximately 21:00 UTC, a ground collision occurred at the Coronel Olmedo Aerodrome in Córdoba, Argentina. The aircraft involved, a Cessna 172 with registration LV-YNB, was engaged in a non-commercial pleasure flight. Following engine start-up, the pilot-in-command exited the aircraft while the engine remained running. Without a pilot at the controls, the aircraft began to taxi autonomously, eventually striking a parked Piper PA11 (C), registration LV-ZCZ, which was stationary on the grass surface.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the uncontrolled movement of the aircraft. Investigators conducted interviews with the pilot to establish the circumstances surrounding the departure from the cockpit. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in a standing phase of operation and that the collision resulted in substantial damage to both the Cessna 172 and the parked Piper aircraft. No injuries were reported for the pilot or any personnel on the ground.
Findings
- The pilot exited the aircraft while the engine was still operational.
- The movement of the aircraft was initiated because the pilot left the cockpit to retrieve a VHF radio equipment.
- The aircraft's uncontrolled taxiing led to the impact with the stationary third-party aircraft.