What happened
On June 17, 2019, a Cessna Citation 680, registered as LV-CIQ, was performing an executive transport flight from San Fernando, Buenos Aires, to the Agropecuaria Río Juramento private aerodrome in Salta. During the approach to the destination, the crew silenced the Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) aural alarms because the aerodrome was not present in the aircraft's database. Following this, the crew contacted Córdoba Terminal Control to cancel their flight plan.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the crew's attention was momentarily diverted by a flock of medium-sized birds. During the landing phase, the crew noted that the aircraft continued to descend at a rate higher than expected. As the aircraft made contact with the runway, the pilot monitoring attempted to lower the landing gear lever, but the gear failed to complete its extension. The aircraft subsequently slid on its fuselage for approximately 500 meters before veering off the left side of the runway. There were no injuries among the five occupants.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical state, the crew's actions, and the operational environment. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane was being maintained according to the manufacturer's plan. The investigation also analyzed the cockpit systems, specifically the landing gear extension mechanism and the audio/interphone system used for TAWS warnings. Physical inspection of the wreckage revealed significant damage to the aircraft's ventral area, including crushed hydraulic lines for the nose gear and damaged nose gear door mechanisms. The flaps and wing roots also sustained minor denting and abrasions.
Findings
- The crew silenced the TAWS alarms to avoid nuisance warnings caused by the unlisted aerodrome.
- A flock of birds distracted the crew during the final stages of the landing.
- The landing gear failed to fully extend and lock during the touchdown phase.
- The aircraft's descent rate was higher than normal at the moment of contact.
- The aircraft slid on its fuselage for 500 meters due to the incomplete gear deployment.