Flight Overview
On 6 May 2023 at 18:00 UTC, a Vans RV-7 aircraft, registration LV-X722, departed from the Aeroclub Allen aerodrome in Río Negro province, Argentina, to perform an aerobatic flight as part of an air festival. After completing the aerobatic sequence, the aircraft executed a low-altitude flyby. During this pass, the right wingtip contacted the ground. The pilot was able to maintain control and subsequently landed the aircraft. The aircraft sustained damage to the right wing and its wingtip.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Vans RV-7, a single-engine kit-built airplane, operated privately under general aviation for demonstration purposes. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot License (PPL) for single-engine land aircraft and VFR flight, with a medical certificate valid until 30 September 2023. The pilot was a 58-year-old Argentine male with 900 total flight hours, of which 300 were on the Vans RV-7. In the 30 days prior to the accident, he had logged 3.4 hours, including 0.4 hours on the day of the event. The pilot had 90 hours of aerobatic flight experience in the same aircraft (LV-X722) and had received specific instruction in aerobatic maneuvers. However, according to the investigation, he did not hold the required aerobatic endorsement as stipulated in Section 61.69(c) of the Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations (RAAC).
Investigation
The accident was not reported to the Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte (JST) in a timely manner; the investigation agency became aware of the event through photographs posted on social media. The JST investigation determined that the pilot's certifications complied with general aviation requirements but that he lacked the aerobatic endorsement mandated for such maneuvers. The regulatory requirements for an aerobatic endorsement include a minimum of 500 hours as pilot-in-command after obtaining a PPL, at least 10 hours of aerobatic instruction with a qualified instructor, and a minimum of 100 hours of documented aerobatic flight experience over more than six months, followed by a practical flight examination administered by an aeronautical authority inspector. The pilot had not completed these requirements. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing and wingtip, but the pilot was uninjured. No passengers or other persons were aboard or affected.