What happened
On May 17, 2025, at approximately 20:10 UTC, a Champion 7EC, registration LV-FXG, was performing a non-commercial pleasure flight when it experienced a runway excursion at Benjamín Matienzo International Airport in Tucumán, Argentina. The aircraft, which had departed from the Horco Molle Aeroclub, was in the landing phase of its flight when it veered off the runway.
While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, there were no injuries reported for the pilot on board. The aircraft came to rest on a grassy area near the airfield.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) conducted a preliminary investigation into the event. Investigators examined the flight parameters, the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, and the operational decisions made by the pilot. The investigation focused on the aircraft's movement during the landing roll and the environmental factors present at the aerodrome.
Findings
Preliminary analysis of the flight data and environmental conditions identified the following contributing factors:
- The aircraft was landing on runway 02.
- At the time of the landing, the wind was recorded at 210 degrees with a speed of 8 knots.
- This wind configuration resulted in a tailwind component during the landing phase, which likely influenced the aircraft's deceleration and directional control on the ground.