What happened
On May 19, 2022, at approximately 15:45 UTC, a Cessna C152, registration LV-BRI, was conducting a general aviation instructional flight departing from Morón Airport. While operating in the cruise phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. Unable to maintain the established flight path, the pilot executed a precautionary landing in a rural area of Marcos Paz, Buenos Aires, within an unprepared field.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) conducted a technical investigation into the incident. The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the power loss and the subsequent emergency landing. The aircraft was inspected following the event to assess the mechanical state of the engine and the airframe. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was operating under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) at the time of the occurrence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a loss of engine power during the cruise phase of flight.
- The pilot successfully managed the emergency by choosing an unprepared field for a precautionary landing, preventing further escalation.
- There were no injuries reported for the two occupants on board the aircraft.