What happened
On May 20, 2024, at approximately 20:25 UTC, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, registration LV-RLA, was engaged in a recreational flight from a private helipad in Hudson toward Florencio Varela. After roughly ten minutes of flight in visual meteorological conditions, the pilot experienced a sudden engine failure. In an attempt to perform an emergency landing, the aircraft struck the ground in a wetland area near Berazagui, Buenos Aires. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though there were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The JST investigation focused on the aircraft's condition and the pilot's operational history. Physical examination of the wreckage showed the tail boom had fragmented into three pieces and the tail rotor was found 100 meters from the impact site. While the carburetor and flight controls were functional, the investigation uncovered critical discrepancies regarding the aircraft's airworthiness. There were no maintenance records for the helicopter following an inspection in 2003, and the engine's serial number did not match the official technical documentation, suggesting an undocumented replacement.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the pilot's recent experience. Although the pilot held a valid private license and medical certificate, they had not operated an R-22 model since 2005, failing to meet the regulatory requirements for recent experience.
Findings
- The primary cause of the crash was an engine failure that necessitated an emergency maneuver.
- The pilot was operating at an altitude of approximately 300 feet, which was below the regulatory minimum of 500 feet for VFR operations.
- The pilot lacked the required recent flight experience in the specific aircraft type.
- The aircraft lacked visible registration markings and had an undocumented engine replacement.
- There was a complete lack of maintenance traceability, with no documented inspections since 2003.
Safety action
- The investigation highlighted the necessity for operators to implement rigorous controls over technical documentation to ensure the traceability and update of maintenance and flight activity records.